What is your agenda?

The current focus on the government shutdown and the reasons for it got me to thinking. The Democrats believe their agenda is best for all concerned, while the Republicans believe their agenda is the way to go. Independents and others not committed to a particular political/sociological philosophy must decide which side of the fence they sit on or offer their own solutions. In other words, their agenda.

We all have our own thoughts, feelings, aspirations, and goals for an overall future and in particular our own future. Somewhere in us is our agenda for the things we believe in. Some of us lean on the temporal (peer pressure, societal changes, following accepted norms), others focus on the spiritual (what they believe is God's plan for them).

Sometimes, we alter our personal agenda to fit in with a larger societal agenda even though we know it is no longer consistent with our beliefs. We compromise. I have done this over the years. At times I've regretted it. At times I've simply been naive to it. However, as I've advanced in years I've focused my own agenda on what is most important to me.

Many of you know me by name but I've never really shared those things most important to me. I will share a few knowing there may some agreement and some disagreement. I don't think there is anything wrong with either. Both are healthy if expressed with concern and are not accusatory or inflammatory. I am a man of religious conviction. By that I mean the spiritual (as I understand it, and believe in it) is more important than the temporal. And where there are differences I side with the spiritual. Some temporal cases in point are same-sex marriage. I do not support this because I believe God (Jesus Christ) does not support this. In most cases I do not support abortion for the same reason. I do not support the gay and lesbian lifestyle because I believe Deity have commanded us against it. I believe God has called it sin. I feel a strong love for the person engaging in these lifestyles. It is the act I am against, not the person. While most would not admit it their acts are influenced by one of two sources, either Christ or Satan.

Since the Affordable Care Act seems to be dividing the nations and appears to be the central issue on the minds of Americans, I will offer a couple thoughts concerning it. The concept of healthcare for all is noble, it is commendable. The idea of forcing one's (government's individual mandate) will on another is neither noble nor is it right. Even if we are making the wrong choice, we should be not this privilege taken from us. 

There are many who agree with and live in harmony with my agenda. Of course, there are many who do not. We all must choose our own path in life, our own agenda. And with the choices we make we must abide with and accept the rewards or consequences, both temporally and spiritually, for those choices. Please note that no where have I suggested others should believe as I do, even though for obvious reasons, I wish it were so. Let everyone believe as they will, set their own agenda, and be happy (or, at some point, disappointed) with their choices.

Do you like Medicare? Just wondering.

I agree with you, Charlie.  We should all be as aware as we can of the agenda of another group and how that agenda affects us.  We all, as well, should follow our own life path as we see it.

From a personal standpoint I don't qualify for Medicare so I haven't benefited from it. It has helped family members and others. My thinking is if the affordable care act is law and it is available, and actually mandatory, for all U. S. citizens then the need for Medicare seems to logically no longer be needed. Why should we pay for both?

10/8/2013

                  Charlie Medicare has nothing to do with The AFordable Care Act, two different
                  animals, seniors don't have to get it , we already have Medicare...I have Humana
                  Medicare and I think their great !!!

                                                                   Cheers...Joe...

The ACA isn't mandatory for everybody, Charlie, and as I understand it, it is planned for those who are younger and still employed, while Medicare is for those over 65.

I'm not certain how it workes, though, because my retirement comes from a state teacher's pension, and my Medicare works with it. I qualify for Medicare through the 15 years I was married and paid into it through a joint tax return during those years. I cannot collect on SS from that time perid. I had to choose either SS or my pension, and the pension pays more, since I paid far more into it over the years I taught.

10/8/2013

                       Ann..

                             You mean to tell me you couldn't collect both ? Why ?

                                                         Cheers..Joe..

You cannot collect on both Social Security and a state pension.  If you qualify for both, you must choose one or the other.  However, if you qualify for Medicare, you can receive that aid even if you choose the state pension.Texas teachers have really good health insurance at reasonable rates.   After retirement, it becomes more like a Medicare suppement for rhose who qualify for it.  If not, retired teachers continue with the same health care options as full-time teachers.

That's an oversimplification, but it generally applies.

Main thing is, you have to put a part of your income into either system in order qualify for payments after you reach 65 and/or retire, so it isn't an entitlement, it's earned.

10/8/2013

                          I think you should be able to collect both if you paid into both
                          otherwise your being screwed by the govt....

                                                    Cheers...Joe...

Charlie Moore wrote:

My thinking is if the affordable care act is law and it is available, and actually mandatory, for all U. S. citizens then the need for Medicare seems to logically no longer be needed. Why should we pay for both?

Us folks on Medicare do not need the affordable health care act, so the answer to your question is, we don't pay for both.

The affordable plan is for folks such as my daughter and her family who do not have health care and can't get it. She and her husband are self-employed (she had a job but was laid off when the company downsized), and her husband and two of their sons are diabetic. They cannot afford commercial health care, and, in some jurisdictions, even if they could, it would not cover pre-existing conditions.

"Affordable" is turning out to be relative. My FB feed is full of people (mostly in their 30's) shocked at how their insurance premiums have doubled and tripled. This is so it can be affordable for others. My guess is that if this whole system sticks, there's going to be a complete overhaul of the whole system. Medicare will go away and get rolled into this.

Actually, LC, I think you are correct.  The problem is that one system can be so very full of holes.  Right now, Medicare is one of the most successful government programs that keeps getting more efficient and offering excellent health care.

Unfortunately, anecdotal evidence abounds regarding the ACA but it has not even been in effect except for a few test situations.  The states who actually followed through and put their own insurance exchanges in place seem to be doing well on enrolling people and the affordable nature of the insurance.

With so many people unable to break through the system, I am surprised so many already know their insurance is higher.  It reminds me of the Medicare person complaining that "Obamacare took away my health club."  Obamacare had nothing to do with the health club; some advantage plan providers include a health club provision and others do not.  One chooses the best overall plan.  But whatever a person finds wrong with their health care from insurance to doctors to hospitals to meds, they blame it on a program that doesn't go into affect until January 2014.

10/8/2013

                  The whole system sucks ! Doesn't anyone see what's really happening
                  the govt. is trying to take total control and tell the American public
                  what to do which is illegal , it's a socialistic game their playing and
                  the American public is starting to wake up before it's too late...

                                                       Cheers...Joe..

10/9/2013

                      Oh yes by the way this is what this country owes around the
                      world it would shock your socks off !

http://money.cnn.com/infographic/news/economy/who-we-owe/index.html

                                           Cheers...Joe..

I admit I don't know a lot personally about the ACA or Obamacare, as it is commonly referred to. Most of the things I hear paint a negative picture of it. The news says there is an individual mandate requiring people to sign up for it. I did not realize there is a choice. Based on what I've learned here I can tell my daughter she does not have to sign up and will not be penalized. I will research this.

The company I work for and who provides health insurance through BCBS sent out a letter recently stating significant changes were made to our policy due to the new ACA taking effect Jan. 1. So, even if it is true we don't all have to literally sign up we're still affected by the law. Basically, it says they are required by law to follow the standards of the ACA. It will be interesting to see the people's view of this plan after it been implemented and used for a period of time.

I will not personally jump on the "for" and "against" bandwagon until that time.

The people I know whose premiums went up buy their own insurance, and were notified of the premium hike by their insurance companies. So I'm not sure what the "Obama took my health club" story is about. Are you saying they're not reading their bills correctly?

joefrank wrote:

10/8/2013

                  The whole system sucks ! Doesn't anyone see what's really happening
                  the govt. is trying to take total control and tell the American public
                  what to do which is illegal , it's a socialistic game their playing and
                  the American public is starting to wake up before it's too late...

                                                       Cheers...Joe..

You know the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act as constitutional, don't you?

Joe, based on the above and previous posts, it seems that anything the government does to help the citizens is socialist.  If that is socialism.  I embrace it.  Helping anyone in need is what I embrace.  When you stop labeling "help" you may find that it is a human thing.

10/9/2013

                      HA ! 

                       Cheers....Joe... 

joefrank wrote:

10/9/2013

                      HA ! 

                       Cheers....Joe... 

So being a human being who cares for others gets a HA from you? 

10/9/2013

                   I don't know who you are ? I'm a human being ! I speak my mine I'm not on
                   the left nor am I on the right nor am I a tea partier, I have a right to tease my
                   friends ......

                                                             Cheers.....Joe...

It would appear I was wrong in saying everyone had to sign up for the ACA, but it also turns out it is only symantics. People that already have insurance coverage acceptable to the government are exempt. It is clearly stated that anyone not covered and who can afford coverage (I am assuming afford will be a government definition) must either buy insurance from a source that falls under the acceptable to the government umbrella or they have to sign up for a plan associated with ACA. If they do not a fine will be levied through their tax return in 2014. This way the government will be assured of collecting on this fine. It says in the same paragraph I read the reason for the mandatory involvement is to assist financing those who cannot pay for healthcare.

The human issue of should we help those who need help is important. My personal feeling is we should, but I have reservations with some who receive help. I am talking of those (and I believe there are many) who accept welfare or some other assistance who are able to create opportunities for themselves and have been given the chance to do so. This system of helping people who truly need help is commendable, but a strategy to identify abusers should also be found and implemented.

I can't say for sure how my premium will change on Jan. 1 since it is carried under my wife's name (we work at the same place), but even without the affordable care act I would anticipate an increase, because that is how these company's stay solvent and pay their executives.

Everyone is so concerned on a repetitive until obnoxious basis regarding the fraud and the expenses for people in need of government services for the basic necessities to make them able to seek and keep employment and contribute to society in an economic way.

Seldom does anyone complain about all the subsidies, tax loop holes and write offs, offshore accounts, offshore jobs, offshore investments, and non-profit, tax-exempt fraud that is depriving the economy of far more than helping the needy.  How about the exorbitant executive salaries and bonuses while they cut the number of employees, cut benefits, cut pensions and "trim overhead.?"

I visited with a friend from Canada from whom 60% of his income goes to taxes.  He's not complaining.  His concern is not about his contribution to the government services (he said loopholes are pretty much non-existent - no deductions) but rather that small businesses get the help they need to flourish.  He talked about it in a proactive way, not complaining about taxes but rather looking for tangible support to enhance the growth of small businesses who are the major employers.  It was refreshing to talk about solutions instead of blaming this group or the other.

He suggested that engineering the IRS system to create home-buying and support donations has turned the U.S. into a loophole heaven for those in the know and an overpay position for those in the middle.

He also said that corporations in Canada and the U.S. escape taxation compared to the middle class and lower middle class because they have the funds and resources to invest and manage their income to avoid giving it to the government.  The little person has no such out.  He just pays.

DK.  It is always interesting and gives a different perspective when looking from the outside in.