tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post1659132698527379969..comments2024-03-28T10:08:06.291-05:00Comments on Give2Attain: Thank Heavens for the Electoral CollegeJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-32179170479541190852016-11-16T12:22:17.869-06:002016-11-16T12:22:17.869-06:00That does not make it any less important to our co... That does not make it any less important to our country.<br /><br />It's important, sure, but a lot fewer people live there. And those who do are faced with economic forces nobody can do anything about. Certainly the Republicans offer no solutions, which is why they spent so much time demagoguing the office building.<br /><br />--HiramAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-41328552893662228602016-11-16T11:44:55.635-06:002016-11-16T11:44:55.635-06:00Well here are my thoughts on changes (improvements...Well here are my thoughts on changes (improvements?) that could be made to the EC:<br /><br />- Could we have national electors that would vote for the person who wins that national popular vote? These would be in addition to the existing 538 electors. How many would there be? One possible argument against is that it would effectively give a portion of the population more power than "one person, one vote".<br />- Each State still gets the two "Senator" votes, meaning that two votes go to the winner of the statewide popular vote<br />- Each congressional district still gets a single vote based on the popular vote within the district, with the following caveats:<br />a) Gerrymandering is outlawed (how?)<br />b) District boundaries are not affected by State boundaries, meaning that all congressional districts would have to have, as closely as possible, the same population without respect to State borders. My questions regarding this are: Is there a good reason for congressional districts to be contained within States? What reason is there for it to continue? States already get electoral votes.<br /><br />JoelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-59980570914580056842016-11-16T11:07:19.544-06:002016-11-16T11:07:19.544-06:00It's funny how times have changed.
"Whil...It's funny how times have changed.<br /><br />"While it’s almost forgotten now, the George W. Bush campaign was planning to challenge the results of the 2000 vote if he lost the electoral vote, but won the popular vote. His campaign hoped to spark a national movement to pressure members of the Electoral College in states where the popular vote went for Al Gore to ignore that and instead vote in line with the national popular vote — thus making Bush president.<br /><br />In the end, the reverse happened. Bush won the Electoral College vote while losing the popular vote.<br /><br />But in the weeks before the November 7, 2000, election, it seemed more likely that Gore would get a majority of electoral votes, while Bush, lifted by a wide margin in his home state of Texas, would have the most votes by actual people. This possibility was widely discussed, including in the Boston Globe and Christian Science Monitor and in an Associated Press polling analysis.<br /><br />Gore was even preemptively criticized for winning under these circumstances. It “would be an outrage” said Rep. Ray LaHood, R.-Ill."<br /><br /><a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/10/21/it-isnt-just-donald-trump-the-bush-campaign-plotted-to-reject-election-results-in-2000/" rel="nofollow">The Bush Campaign Plotted to Reject Election Results in 2000</a>Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-59149736158443357752016-11-16T10:52:36.416-06:002016-11-16T10:52:36.416-06:00Joel, Good idea though I think we are getting a se...Joel, Good idea though I think we are getting a sense of where people stand on the idea.<br /><br />Sean, Agreed. Just pointing out both sides.<br /><br />Hiram, Rural America may have fewer voters now due to automation and big equipment. That does not make it any less important to our country. Ignore them at your own peril. They are very high "value add" citizens who support many of our aspects of the American economy. (ie wealth creators) Besides they are able to influence elections as we have seen... :-)Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-45803536900992136692016-11-16T10:30:58.585-06:002016-11-16T10:30:58.585-06:00The Democrats stopped addressing the concerns of R...The Democrats stopped addressing the concerns of Rural America.<br /><br />We really don't actually. In economic terms, rural America has been on the decline for the last century or so, and nothing anything anyone does, can stop that. We do support rural schools, nursing homes, various forms of infrastructure stuff. Out state, Republicans campaign on things like the state office building, and the supposed arrogance of urban liberals, but they offer little of the way of substance apart from the easing of environmental regulations.<br /><br />--HiramAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-89102853139676266072016-11-16T09:58:41.493-06:002016-11-16T09:58:41.493-06:00"I seem to remember a certain President promi..."I seem to remember a certain President promising reductions and keeping one's Doctor..."<br /><br />I'm certainly not going to argue that the President did a good job of selling the bill. But we should make policy decisions based on facts and not on nitpicking stump speeches.Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-58297113328724814342016-11-16T09:25:24.664-06:002016-11-16T09:25:24.664-06:00Hey John-
I wonder if you would consider a new po...Hey John-<br /><br />I wonder if you would consider a new post on "Does the Electoral College need to be fixed?". I think the EC is fascinating, but maybe it won't stir much commentary from the folks here?<br /><br />JoelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-79239686226767817562016-11-16T09:10:15.709-06:002016-11-16T09:10:15.709-06:00Sean,
I seem to remember a certain President promi...Sean,<br />I seem to remember a certain President promising reductions and keeping one's Doctor...<br /><br />Please remember that I see good and bad things in ACA.<br /><br />Hiram,<br />The Democrats stopped addressing the concerns of Rural America. They are now highly motivated to correct that error. I think the system is working great.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-5373447351098225742016-11-16T08:38:36.666-06:002016-11-16T08:38:36.666-06:00. It forces collaboration and helps to ensure that.... It forces collaboration and helps to ensure that certain regions don't feel crushed by "those guys".<br /><br />Actually, it discourages collaboration as we have seen in recent years. The English, unchecked and unbalanced system was able to get rid of slavery within the system. Our system required a civil war.<br /><br />--HiramAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-80531887223015229912016-11-16T08:34:00.862-06:002016-11-16T08:34:00.862-06:00"It is a complete nightmare, with double-digi..."It is a complete nightmare, with double-digit premium spikes about to hit the nation (on average) next year."<br /><br />Again, this is not true. Premiums in the employer market are up on average about 5%. The double-digit premium spikes only hit those on the exchanges, and those who get subsidies were largely immunized from that impact. So the only group of people getting the double-digit spikes are those who are on the exchanges but don't get the subsidies (approaching 1% of the country's population). Again, not a good trend, but not one that is insurmountable with some common-sense reforms. (It should also be pointed out that premiums are exactly where they were projected to be when the law was passed.)Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-39520077787550977612016-11-16T07:49:21.358-06:002016-11-16T07:49:21.358-06:00If you have to go back to the civil war and a HUGE...If you have to go back to the civil war and a HUGE social norm change like abolishing slavery, we are doing pretty good. And by the way the Union survived that terrible test.<br /><br />I personally am happy to stick with checks and balances to any State or group of States controlling our country just because more people live in that region of land. It forces collaboration and helps to ensure that certain regions don't feel crushed by "those guys".<br /><br />We all succeed or fail together... Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-50773125406192613932016-11-16T06:04:11.236-06:002016-11-16T06:04:11.236-06:00I think these 2 systems are single handedly respon... I think these 2 systems are single handedly responsible for keeping us a group of "United" States<br /><br />It didn't work during the Civil War. Essentially, the electoral college turns the choice of president over to a few high vote, evenly divided states. Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, mainly. Your vote in Minnesota counts for nothing. Neither do individual votes in our largest states, California, New York and Texas. This is why we here in Minnesota see virtually no visible presidential campaigning.<br /><br />Our country has become incredibly rationalized over the last couple of decades. It seems to me that a election system which allows candidates to focus on just a few states, only exacerbates that tendency.<br /><br />--Hiram<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-76170810314639556442016-11-15T19:12:01.609-06:002016-11-15T19:12:01.609-06:00CNN Bill to End Electoral College
Next she will w...<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/15/politics/barbara-boxer-electoral-college-donald-trump-2016-election/index.html" rel="nofollow">CNN Bill to End Electoral College</a><br /><br />Next she will want to change how many Senators each State gets... :-)<br /><br />Why do these folks keep thinking States don't matter?<br /><br />Maybe we should get rid of Local and State elected governments... Then these officials could be appointed by the all powerful nationally elected Feds. That way the folks on the coasts and the urban areas could Lord over everyone else... I am sure that would create a stable country... Not...:-) Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-20902069490425753122016-11-15T17:02:07.131-06:002016-11-15T17:02:07.131-06:00Townhall ACA Discussion
I like this quote. It is...<a href="http://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2016/11/05/cnn-obamacare-unaffordable-for-the-middle-class-n2241895" rel="nofollow">Townhall ACA Discussion</a><br /><br />I like this quote. It is succinct and accurate.<br /><br />"It is a complete nightmare, with double-digit premium spikes about to hit the nation (on average) next year. That’s a Tomahawk missile strike to most home budgets, especially those in America’s middle class. An ironic twist since Obamacare was supposed to help this economic demographic, which now finds itself being more squeezed by this law. Even CNN Money noted that Obamacare is turning into another government program that helps predominantly lower income Americans. Simply put, the law isn’t affordable. "Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-24182952332746845622016-11-15T16:54:36.443-06:002016-11-15T16:54:36.443-06:00Since ACA was setup to transfer costs from low inc...Since ACA was setup to transfer costs from low income poorly employed people to people with stable good employment and the wealthy.<br /><br />I am thinking the GOP plan will be better for the majority of my friends and co-workers.<br /><br />And my single male farm friends used to love the low cost high deductible male oriented plans that will likely be allowed again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/news/article_4b89d5de-357e-5c72-b749-de23e739dfb6.html" rel="nofollow">S MN Article</a>Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-49219674926504865382016-11-15T16:02:39.518-06:002016-11-15T16:02:39.518-06:00Health care inflation is historically low. Per the...Health care inflation is historically low. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average health care inflation from 1987-2010 was 5%. From 2011-2015, health care inflation ran at an average of 2.9%.<br /><br />Now, is it true that some of that burden is being shifted from employers to consumers? Yes. But that's just the continuation of a trend that long outdated that ACA. As health care inflation has outpaced inflation in the rest of the economy, employers have shifted more of those costs to their employees. (Also please remember that your beloved Paul Ryan plan touts the virtues of high deductible health plans -- so if you're concerned about deductibles and copays, the Republican solution is likely going to be significantly worse than the ACA.)Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-34370943856851676962016-11-15T15:44:58.623-06:002016-11-15T15:44:58.623-06:00I think you ignored my comment... These deduction...I think you ignored my comment... These deduction increases, copay increases and having less freedom to stay with their Doctor are all costs that need to be accounted for.<br /><br />Not sure how the comparisons account for this?Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-66413542337864189442016-11-15T13:52:00.954-06:002016-11-15T13:52:00.954-06:00"They likely were paying cash for some care w..."They likely were paying cash for some care when they had it, and now they pay nothing. Correct?"<br /><br />Medicaid has modest copays.<br /><br />Your links are not in conflict with anything I have said. Pointing out a one-month increase in health care prices does not reflect the longer running trend in health care inflation since the ACA was passed.<br /><br />Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-52500964190267779952016-11-15T13:37:26.047-06:002016-11-15T13:37:26.047-06:00Hiram, Excellent deep thinking.
Sean,
I guess I d...Hiram, Excellent deep thinking.<br /><br />Sean,<br />I guess I disagree, if the vast majority of the 20 million are because the expansion of Medicaid. They likely were paying cash for some care when they had it, and now they pay nothing. Correct?<br /><br />You will need to read these carefully. They indicate what I think is happening. Premium increases are being controlled by increases in deductibles and co-pays. Either way it means everyone is paying more. Plus the additional taxes.<br /><br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/16/news/economy/health-care-costs-rise-most-in-32years/" rel="nofollow">CNN Money Healthcare Costs</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/how-quickly-are-health-insurance-premiums-rising/" rel="nofollow">PBS Healthcare Increases</a><br /><br />Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-53215285936279297522016-11-15T12:48:19.069-06:002016-11-15T12:48:19.069-06:00"Who exactly do you think is paying for these..."Who exactly do you think is paying for these people's coverage and subsidies?"<br /><br />Who was paying for it before? The ACA actually *increases* the number of people paying at least something for their own healthcare, not reduces it.<br /><br />"There are far more of us who experiencing pain from ACA, than there are people benefiting."<br /><br />Back this up empirically, please. Premium increases in the employer market post-ACA have consistently run lower than prior to its passage. So this talking point is a bunch of hooey like pretty much everything else you've said for years about the ACA.Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-38445150127500274242016-11-15T11:44:58.641-06:002016-11-15T11:44:58.641-06:00Somehow the relatively homogenous "progressiv...Somehow the relatively homogenous "progressive" city dwellers think they know better than those non-college educated rural folks who run the businesses that provide us food, energy and so many other things we rely on. <br /><br />Do people think they know better than other people? If my vote is different from yours, does that mean I think my vote is better than yours? Or could the reverse be true? Do I think that my vote is worse than yours? Or perhaps, to avoid the appearance of my thinking I am better than those who disagree with me, should I not vote at all?<br /><br />--Hiram<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-88083881864648279032016-11-15T11:43:23.447-06:002016-11-15T11:43:23.447-06:00Now the parts of ACA that you are talking about ar...Now the parts of ACA that you are talking about are the welfare parts... (ie Medicaid expansion and subsidies)<br /><br />Who exactly do you think is paying for these people's coverage and subsidies?<br /><br />By the way the answer is all of us tax payers... And all of us people buying Health Insurance with their own and their company's money...<br /><br />There are far more of us who experiencing pain from ACA, than there are people benefiting. Now I will agree that our pain is less severe, but to deny it is pain is denying reality.<br /><br />And remember that whenever Liberals arbitrarily move money from businesses and the successful to the unsuccessful, it is likely they are increasing the cost of doing business in the USA, rewarding poor choices and damaging our employment opportunities. <br /><br /><a href="https://danieljmitchell.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/asay-cartoon-slave-driver.jpg" rel="nofollow">How do we incent folks to start pulling instead of riding</a>?<br />Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-48681189270651982562016-11-15T09:42:22.738-06:002016-11-15T09:42:22.738-06:00"What about the tens of millions of hard work..."What about the tens of millions of hard working Americans who are being priced out of having insurance because of all the ACA mandates? Are you indifferent to their plight?"<br /><br />There just aren't "tens of millions" that this is occurring to. The exchanges cover between 4% and 5% of the population, and about 80% of those folks are covered by the subsidies which protects them from the impacts of the premium increases. Now, that still leaves close to 1% of the population being impacted, which is significant but not crippling. We can easily find solutions to blunt that impact -- if we want to -- instead of trashing things for the 20 million that have gained coverage.Seanhttp://brickcityblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-7123066882102814542016-11-15T06:44:21.822-06:002016-11-15T06:44:21.822-06:00By the way, keep hope... If they fail, the Democr...By the way, keep hope... If they fail, the Democrats will gain more voters.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193628934721963907.post-26892361247549033622016-11-15T06:43:04.469-06:002016-11-15T06:43:04.469-06:00Laurie,
The Democrats failed to get out the vote i...Laurie,<br />The Democrats failed to get out the vote in critical States. The Ellison's of the world only seem to care about specific groups of citizens in certain districts. Apparently many more people were indifferent to the Democratic message and messenger.<br /><br />And don't confuse insurance and healthcare, they may lose Medicaid but they will continue to get care.<br /><br />What about the tens of millions of hard working Americans who are being priced out of having insurance because of all the ACA mandates? Are you indifferent to their plight?<br /><br />Hiram,<br />Time will tell. In my view the Democrat far Left agenda will lead to the fall of the USA over time. (ie boil the frog, kill the goose that lays the golden egg, etc) So these refreshing swings towards capitalism give me hope. Now let's hope they don't over reach and do stupid things.<br /><br /> Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991027705809503541noreply@blogger.com