I have relatives in Germany and Canada. They are all cared for by the govt. system. It works for them. My parents and my wife's parents all are covered by Medicare. It works well for them too. In my personal experience, "socialized" health care is a far, far better deal than the private limited player monopoly system I suffer under. These are not anecdotes, these are real people-"socialist" health care, at least in those two places, works...better than the botch we get...Auto companies build plants in Canada because they don't have to worry about health care costs.
Now if you want to morph into a Palin-esque (Sarah, not Michael) rant about creeping socialism, here, in this one case, I'm all for it. I'm willing to pay, but when rates triple in six years with no other changes, I know someone's just gotten over on me and those like me, hugely.
One last time...there is NO FREE MARKET in "free market" health care...and that's the way they like it.
I get a great kick out of reading the arguments about health care. I don't want "free", but I don't want a screwing, either...which is what is happening.
Health care is a utility. In my area, there are 3 companies that write individuals. They all price the same. There is no "free market", and you have no "choices". You live in a box of rules they make, and have to argue with them when they deny services (did you know you can't sue a health care insurance company in most states ? surprise !!!!)
In 2003, the family plan was $675. Today, the same plan with bigger copays is $1700 per month. For (fortunately) healthy people, no pre exisiting conditions. My income didn't triple, and my doctor's income didn't triple....where did that money go ??
So, those who argue that it's free market or socialism are missing the point. It is NOT a free market. It is more like a utility, that needs regulation, since like water and electricity, we all use and need health care. What we have is just like Enron, though for health care-capitalism run amok, choices limited and controlled by the existing players. The current health care system, from here in NY, is like the railroads that the Plains Farmers had to use in the 1800's. Yes, it's a free market, but you and they know there is no actual choice, so they charge (screw) you accordingly.
The "public option" (RIP) was another choice. Which would be the LAST thing the monopoly capitalists want. I finally found a disaster insurance plan, and now pay cash for most doctors. Not a big deal, but you'd be amazed that my $180 allergy shot is $38, and my spouse's physical therapist is $65, which used to be billed @ $250 with a copay of $50.
Most disaster plans are also themselves a disaster. If you actually use the 5k deductable and need to use them, and they only cover 80% of your bills, you are still bankrupt if you get cancer, heart issues or need any sort of ongoing work. So they are not a solution either.
If there were a choice, a real free market, then we'd have an arguement. The short answer is yes, I would prefer "socialist health care" to having a "choice" of three monopolist providers. The "exchanges" in the proposed bill with a standardized plan were a great idea, but the monopoly players pulled out all the stops to prevent even competition from other private players.
I finally found a disaster plan that is not an 80% plan...for pretty much what I paid in 2003 for "real" insurance. I am almost looking forward to Medicare, even though I don't want to get old any faster than needed.
If you look at any money, it says quite clearly-United States of America. It does not say "your name". It is quite clear that it is their money, not yours....you only get to hold it briefly.
I like how any program you can imagine is available in Mexico City for $5. I'm sure it is no different in the islands....
This just means more corn syrup for US ! Yea !
Possibly the best description of the American political system I've ever seen. I always thought of it as a "corporate party" (R) and another "corporate party" (D) which pays occasional lip service to the people. Other than social policy differences there are no economic ones.
You can go nuts about pro choice or right to life, or gay marriage, but the hand on the controls of the machine is the same-and the social policy stuff does not run that machine.
Thank you. I am forever amazed at those who expect a company to "play fair" or "do the right thing". May as well expect a hungry shark not to eat that cute puppy who fell off the dock.
Having litigated against some big companies, the OP has the right attitude.
Sure, I've worked some tropo from here north of NYC to Philly, but it is very rare, and at the frequencies proposed for whitespace, much less likely than the 2 meter band (144-148 mhz).
I agree that the way that broadcasters have "parked" spectrum is appalling. Did you know every FM slot is "taken" even in areas where no one uses them ? I once tried to buy a radio station-it was an education.
The fact is that even here in media saturated NYC there's a lot of unused RF, and at the higher UHF allocations the fact that one market might interfere with another is greatly lessened.
There is no good reason why we need to regulate the way we have been. It's like making a national park with strips of industry. The real reason is that this was a great "restraint of trade" for the established propaganda providers (see "community FM radio")
Still, if I were a broadcaster, I'd be very afraid. Since the Congress is a wholly owned subsidiary of corporate america, google can't do a worse job than the FCC.
I saw Avatar and was happy most of it was NOT 3D gimmicks...but I fear.
When I set up my 5.1 sound system, I was annoyed to find that the best encoded programming was the commercials. Not only louder, but in full 5.1......
I can hardly wait for 3d....commercials....NOT.
I'm old enough to remember "Quadraphonic" sound.....this looks like the 2010 version.
The whole point is that the damages don't have to be proven. You rarely see this, normally in a Court one must prove damages after prevailing on liability.
The Media Industry, due to their ownership of Congress, was able to have part two removed. Few other plaintiffs get this "gift". Now, part one was dealt with by using a massive disparity in ability to pay for legal counsel, meaning that even if you had a legit defense, or didn't actually do what they claimed, you still paid the extortion money. "Beautiful Computer you have there....be a shame if anything happened to it".
If you can't buy Congress, then you have to prove damages like everyone else. That's a key difference between the punitive damages in BMW v Gore, and RIAA legal extortion./cynical/
Of Course, in the other cases, it was a corporation paying unrealistic damages to a plaintiff. Here, the big corporate plaintiff is steamrollering little guys. Want to bet which way our current supreme court will go ?/cynical/
Why is pleasure considered bad ? Yes, certain routes to it will carry self-destruction, even if that is due to illegality or a lack of knowledge. Still, that's not usually considered reasons to ban it (eg tobacco, alcohol) and the drugs that are banned tend to be banned for other reasons (cannabis, etc). Often the problem is due to the illegality itself (dirty needles=HIV). Some folks chase that rabbit forever and end up drunks...but the vast majority don't.
I enjoy hiking, swimming in the ocean, and fresh baked muffins. I could fall, drown or die of clogged arteries, but if careful, nothing bad will happen.
Assuming the neuro stim didn't "burn out" your brain (or at least less than any chemical stimulation) the fact that it might be fun means you should ban it ? I don't share your world view.
Anyone who has fought Search Engine Wars can feel this. "hey, we'll make you the ONLY choice in your category" is a seductive argument.
I guess if you are Microsoft you CAN buy that placement.
I am a lawyer and I know one set of books very well. The Accountant has a whole other set of books that he knows very well.
I once did a bankruptcy for someone. He had 90k/yr in income and made another 90k/year in consulting. He did his own taxes for a few years, the IRS disagreed, and his biggest item on the petition was the IRS debt. They can take a while to catch up to you, but when they do.....
Pay the Accountant, this is not something you can "just do with a form". The Attorney version of this is "I'll do all the running around, can you just give me the forms"
My Blackberry Curve (2 year contract, with a mandatory $29.00 per month data plan, er, phone payment) has a GPS chip which does not work unless I buy verizon navigator for $120 per year. Luckily google maps is good enough.
WiFi....possible, but not in any Verizon branded phone.
Luckily, I can up and download music and pictures....this is considered "progress" in the USA phone model.
This is not much of a surprise. Australia has more speed and stoplight cameras than anywhere else but England. You are not trusted.
Why should we trust you with the series of tubes known as the intarwebs ?
I'm still confused about this hybrid thing. Go to Europe, and you see the same Dodge minivan picking up kids in front of school, but with a turbodiesel. I know the market is manipulated there too, but I'd prefer the established 40- 45 mpg tech of a TD. The 335d is a great example. More Torque than the titans of Detroit of old. A Peugeot Diesel was my renta-car, and it feared no Berlin Taxi. I'd take a Jetta TDI over a Prius, etc.
Whenever you see used amateur radios for sale, "non smoker" is a selling point. I was once given a CB from a guy who was a 3 pack a dayer. His car was a bomb, and the radio took an hour to attempt to clean. It still smells slightly, over a year later in a no smoke environment.
This sort of radio makes little heat and uses little power. I can only imagine the smells from a big radio (100 watts out) or a 1500 watt linear amplifier.
Auto makers have known this for years. If you are an audiophile, the base stereo is always bass heavy without being very accurate. (Total cost to make $15 with "speakers") The "upgrade" normally provides meh sound but acceptable. (total cost $50, option cost XXXX) The real audio nut will buy dedicated equipment and install it.
The vast majority of the motoring public is happy with the base system. Boomy bass is associated with "good sound".
Like the prior commenter, I spent too much time in a real audio store in front of Klipschorns, planar speakers, etc and you really can make concert hall sound with electronics....but again most folks don't know what music is supposed to sound like, so boom boom it up and there you go.
I had two cars (GM, Ford) where they crossed the R/L of the stereo channels front to back. Sounded good at first blush but annoying later and once you figured out that they had pulled this cheap trick (literally) it was time to re-wire.
I worked with the National Motorist's Association on the LIDAR test cases in NJ. Here's the deal.
Laser sends out pulses. It must get back a certain number (64, this may have changed) consistently to read a speed. This is also why laser jammers work-they pulse back inconsistently. Since LIDAR is aimed at faces, it must be eye safe, hence very low power. This is also why LIDAR is easier to beat than instant on radar, for those who drive paranoid.
Now, the computing method they use is apparently not patentable, but is proprietary. It was described as a "least squares method", which is why they don't want to release the code and why when this is challeged, they get an expert witness in Court who discusses how they use LIDAR on the Shuttle to measure distance. I used a LIDAR to measure distance in my backyard to string up some ham radio antennas, but that's not on the road.
On the road, the device must read the reflections, over 1200 feet max, at the speed of light. The "internal self test" is not sufficient legally....Breath testers have an external calibration ampule...Radar guns have "tuning forks". The LIDAR is a self authenticating device, which is normally not sufficient under the law.
In NJ, the presiding Judge set up tests, which being run by NJSP, surprisingly found the device accurate. Other states have just passed laws stating that LIDAR readings are accepted. In NJ, the maximum distance allowed is 1000 feet.
In any cross examination, I always get the cop to admit there is no speed readout from the gun, no matter what the distance tests and internal self test show on the LIDAR. In most Courts, they hear "laser" and just think 'radar' but that's not the case.
Lidar was the result of GEICO rescuing LTI, a small startup company going under. They gave LIDAR to cops in all 50 states, complete with press releases, etc, which jump started the company, made money for GEICO, and was a PR funfest for the local cops.
The FCC and DOT ban TV on a dashboard. OK, so the screen in my car in europe will show TV when the car is off, but not here. My Icom 7000 ham radio had the potential to receive TV but it was crippled to avoid this hazard, as if the two by three inch screen was a clear danger.
Now that analog TV is dead, it's all moot.
Meanwhile, today, I saw the usual sport-ute drivers in the left lane at 75 mph oblivious on the cell.
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I have relatives in Germany and Canada. They are all cared for by the govt. system. It works for them. My parents and my wife's parents all are covered by Medicare. It works well for them too. In my personal experience, "socialized" health care is a far, far better deal than the private limited player monopoly system I suffer under. These are not anecdotes, these are real people-"socialist" health care, at least in those two places, works...better than the botch we get...Auto companies build plants in Canada because they don't have to worry about health care costs. Now if you want to morph into a Palin-esque (Sarah, not Michael) rant about creeping socialism, here, in this one case, I'm all for it. I'm willing to pay, but when rates triple in six years with no other changes, I know someone's just gotten over on me and those like me, hugely. One last time...there is NO FREE MARKET in "free market" health care...and that's the way they like it.
I get a great kick out of reading the arguments about health care. I don't want "free", but I don't want a screwing, either...which is what is happening. Health care is a utility. In my area, there are 3 companies that write individuals. They all price the same. There is no "free market", and you have no "choices". You live in a box of rules they make, and have to argue with them when they deny services (did you know you can't sue a health care insurance company in most states ? surprise !!!!) In 2003, the family plan was $675. Today, the same plan with bigger copays is $1700 per month. For (fortunately) healthy people, no pre exisiting conditions. My income didn't triple, and my doctor's income didn't triple....where did that money go ?? So, those who argue that it's free market or socialism are missing the point. It is NOT a free market. It is more like a utility, that needs regulation, since like water and electricity, we all use and need health care. What we have is just like Enron, though for health care-capitalism run amok, choices limited and controlled by the existing players. The current health care system, from here in NY, is like the railroads that the Plains Farmers had to use in the 1800's. Yes, it's a free market, but you and they know there is no actual choice, so they charge (screw) you accordingly. The "public option" (RIP) was another choice. Which would be the LAST thing the monopoly capitalists want. I finally found a disaster insurance plan, and now pay cash for most doctors. Not a big deal, but you'd be amazed that my $180 allergy shot is $38, and my spouse's physical therapist is $65, which used to be billed @ $250 with a copay of $50. Most disaster plans are also themselves a disaster. If you actually use the 5k deductable and need to use them, and they only cover 80% of your bills, you are still bankrupt if you get cancer, heart issues or need any sort of ongoing work. So they are not a solution either. If there were a choice, a real free market, then we'd have an arguement. The short answer is yes, I would prefer "socialist health care" to having a "choice" of three monopolist providers. The "exchanges" in the proposed bill with a standardized plan were a great idea, but the monopoly players pulled out all the stops to prevent even competition from other private players. I finally found a disaster plan that is not an 80% plan...for pretty much what I paid in 2003 for "real" insurance. I am almost looking forward to Medicare, even though I don't want to get old any faster than needed.
If you look at any money, it says quite clearly-United States of America. It does not say "your name". It is quite clear that it is their money, not yours....you only get to hold it briefly.
I like how any program you can imagine is available in Mexico City for $5. I'm sure it is no different in the islands.... This just means more corn syrup for US ! Yea !
Possibly the best description of the American political system I've ever seen. I always thought of it as a "corporate party" (R) and another "corporate party" (D) which pays occasional lip service to the people. Other than social policy differences there are no economic ones. You can go nuts about pro choice or right to life, or gay marriage, but the hand on the controls of the machine is the same-and the social policy stuff does not run that machine.
unless of course you have verizon. then that cheap as chips chip is not available to you-unless you pay 160 per year.
Thank you. I am forever amazed at those who expect a company to "play fair" or "do the right thing". May as well expect a hungry shark not to eat that cute puppy who fell off the dock. Having litigated against some big companies, the OP has the right attitude.
Remember Quad sound in the late 70's ?
Sure, I've worked some tropo from here north of NYC to Philly, but it is very rare, and at the frequencies proposed for whitespace, much less likely than the 2 meter band (144-148 mhz).
I agree that the way that broadcasters have "parked" spectrum is appalling. Did you know every FM slot is "taken" even in areas where no one uses them ? I once tried to buy a radio station-it was an education. The fact is that even here in media saturated NYC there's a lot of unused RF, and at the higher UHF allocations the fact that one market might interfere with another is greatly lessened. There is no good reason why we need to regulate the way we have been. It's like making a national park with strips of industry. The real reason is that this was a great "restraint of trade" for the established propaganda providers (see "community FM radio") Still, if I were a broadcaster, I'd be very afraid. Since the Congress is a wholly owned subsidiary of corporate america, google can't do a worse job than the FCC.
I saw Avatar and was happy most of it was NOT 3D gimmicks...but I fear. When I set up my 5.1 sound system, I was annoyed to find that the best encoded programming was the commercials. Not only louder, but in full 5.1...... I can hardly wait for 3d....commercials....NOT. I'm old enough to remember "Quadraphonic" sound.....this looks like the 2010 version.
The whole point is that the damages don't have to be proven. You rarely see this, normally in a Court one must prove damages after prevailing on liability. The Media Industry, due to their ownership of Congress, was able to have part two removed. Few other plaintiffs get this "gift". Now, part one was dealt with by using a massive disparity in ability to pay for legal counsel, meaning that even if you had a legit defense, or didn't actually do what they claimed, you still paid the extortion money. "Beautiful Computer you have there....be a shame if anything happened to it". If you can't buy Congress, then you have to prove damages like everyone else. That's a key difference between the punitive damages in BMW v Gore, and RIAA legal extortion. /cynical/
Of Course, in the other cases, it was a corporation paying unrealistic damages to a plaintiff. Here, the big corporate plaintiff is steamrollering little guys. Want to bet which way our current supreme court will go ? /cynical/
Why is pleasure considered bad ? Yes, certain routes to it will carry self-destruction, even if that is due to illegality or a lack of knowledge. Still, that's not usually considered reasons to ban it (eg tobacco, alcohol) and the drugs that are banned tend to be banned for other reasons (cannabis, etc). Often the problem is due to the illegality itself (dirty needles=HIV). Some folks chase that rabbit forever and end up drunks...but the vast majority don't. I enjoy hiking, swimming in the ocean, and fresh baked muffins. I could fall, drown or die of clogged arteries, but if careful, nothing bad will happen. Assuming the neuro stim didn't "burn out" your brain (or at least less than any chemical stimulation) the fact that it might be fun means you should ban it ? I don't share your world view.
True. Netflix and the record function on my sat dvr make buying 99% of discs pointless.
Anyone who has fought Search Engine Wars can feel this. "hey, we'll make you the ONLY choice in your category" is a seductive argument. I guess if you are Microsoft you CAN buy that placement.
I am a lawyer and I know one set of books very well. The Accountant has a whole other set of books that he knows very well. I once did a bankruptcy for someone. He had 90k/yr in income and made another 90k/year in consulting. He did his own taxes for a few years, the IRS disagreed, and his biggest item on the petition was the IRS debt. They can take a while to catch up to you, but when they do..... Pay the Accountant, this is not something you can "just do with a form". The Attorney version of this is "I'll do all the running around, can you just give me the forms"
My Blackberry Curve (2 year contract, with a mandatory $29.00 per month data plan, er, phone payment) has a GPS chip which does not work unless I buy verizon navigator for $120 per year. Luckily google maps is good enough. WiFi....possible, but not in any Verizon branded phone. Luckily, I can up and download music and pictures....this is considered "progress" in the USA phone model.
This is not much of a surprise. Australia has more speed and stoplight cameras than anywhere else but England. You are not trusted. Why should we trust you with the series of tubes known as the intarwebs ?
Kinda like religion......
I'm still confused about this hybrid thing. Go to Europe, and you see the same Dodge minivan picking up kids in front of school, but with a turbodiesel. I know the market is manipulated there too, but I'd prefer the established 40- 45 mpg tech of a TD. The 335d is a great example. More Torque than the titans of Detroit of old. A Peugeot Diesel was my renta-car, and it feared no Berlin Taxi. I'd take a Jetta TDI over a Prius, etc.
Whenever you see used amateur radios for sale, "non smoker" is a selling point. I was once given a CB from a guy who was a 3 pack a dayer. His car was a bomb, and the radio took an hour to attempt to clean. It still smells slightly, over a year later in a no smoke environment. This sort of radio makes little heat and uses little power. I can only imagine the smells from a big radio (100 watts out) or a 1500 watt linear amplifier.
Auto makers have known this for years. If you are an audiophile, the base stereo is always bass heavy without being very accurate. (Total cost to make $15 with "speakers") The "upgrade" normally provides meh sound but acceptable. (total cost $50, option cost XXXX) The real audio nut will buy dedicated equipment and install it. The vast majority of the motoring public is happy with the base system. Boomy bass is associated with "good sound". Like the prior commenter, I spent too much time in a real audio store in front of Klipschorns, planar speakers, etc and you really can make concert hall sound with electronics....but again most folks don't know what music is supposed to sound like, so boom boom it up and there you go. I had two cars (GM, Ford) where they crossed the R/L of the stereo channels front to back. Sounded good at first blush but annoying later and once you figured out that they had pulled this cheap trick (literally) it was time to re-wire.
I worked with the National Motorist's Association on the LIDAR test cases in NJ. Here's the deal. Laser sends out pulses. It must get back a certain number (64, this may have changed) consistently to read a speed. This is also why laser jammers work-they pulse back inconsistently. Since LIDAR is aimed at faces, it must be eye safe, hence very low power. This is also why LIDAR is easier to beat than instant on radar, for those who drive paranoid. Now, the computing method they use is apparently not patentable, but is proprietary. It was described as a "least squares method", which is why they don't want to release the code and why when this is challeged, they get an expert witness in Court who discusses how they use LIDAR on the Shuttle to measure distance. I used a LIDAR to measure distance in my backyard to string up some ham radio antennas, but that's not on the road. On the road, the device must read the reflections, over 1200 feet max, at the speed of light. The "internal self test" is not sufficient legally....Breath testers have an external calibration ampule...Radar guns have "tuning forks". The LIDAR is a self authenticating device, which is normally not sufficient under the law. In NJ, the presiding Judge set up tests, which being run by NJSP, surprisingly found the device accurate. Other states have just passed laws stating that LIDAR readings are accepted. In NJ, the maximum distance allowed is 1000 feet. In any cross examination, I always get the cop to admit there is no speed readout from the gun, no matter what the distance tests and internal self test show on the LIDAR. In most Courts, they hear "laser" and just think 'radar' but that's not the case. Lidar was the result of GEICO rescuing LTI, a small startup company going under. They gave LIDAR to cops in all 50 states, complete with press releases, etc, which jump started the company, made money for GEICO, and was a PR funfest for the local cops.
note that states tax drugs. Illegal Drugs. Failure to pay tax is an additional charge beyond possession.
The FCC and DOT ban TV on a dashboard. OK, so the screen in my car in europe will show TV when the car is off, but not here. My Icom 7000 ham radio had the potential to receive TV but it was crippled to avoid this hazard, as if the two by three inch screen was a clear danger. Now that analog TV is dead, it's all moot. Meanwhile, today, I saw the usual sport-ute drivers in the left lane at 75 mph oblivious on the cell.