Mr. Donald Trump ?

[hatedialysis2]

who are the real takers?   The middle class pays most of the taxes while big corporations  like Merck pay 0% and even worse NEGATIVE tax rates!    see the article below

I'll spell it out for you: EBT.

the families who lost their home for no fault of their own or the too big to fail ?

People lost their homes because the housing market crashed and no longer had the motivation to pay the mortgage.   A friend went bankrupt; rented for a year; then bought a new house with his "underwateredness" wiped out.   Even the "too big to fail" banks honored mortgage terms - if you paid as agreed, no forclosure.

so before calling folks like single moms "takers"

If you take more in services/govt money than you pay you are a taker.  If you pay more than you take, you are a maker.   This is not a value judgement, just a mathematical reality.

As to Merck - I wonder what the net effect is after the income tax is paid by all their employees, and capital gains taxes paid by anyone who sells their stock at a profit.

I had to look up what EBT is.   Here are 2 examples  of some of the  math to compare :  It costs tax payers 58 Billion dollars a year to treat kidney disease (dialysis, TX, meds does not include disability)  , it costs tax payers 80 Billion dollars a year to fund EBT benefits..  The costs of both dialysis and EBT are needed and can be greatly reduced by reducing wasteful spending!  EBT programs can be reduced considerably if the USDA would stop bowing down to corrupt convenient store lobbiyiests.  Medicare spending on kidney disease would be greatly reduced if  if wasteful spending is more scrutinized and healthcare costs is under control .   

"the housing market crashed and people lost motivation to pay their mortgage"    ARE YOUR KIDDING ME!    Famililes had to live in their cars because they lost "motivations!".    And who brought on the market crash of 2008.  Is it not the greedy bankers and hedge fund managers  from Wall Street!!


"If you take more than you make then you are a taker"    SO does that mean you are a taker?  I'm pretty sure if you look at the math you are taking more as a dialysis patient than you are making or have ever made in your life.     

[Simon Dog]

"If you take more than you make then you are a taker"    SO does that mean you are a taker?  I'm pretty sure if you look at the math you are taking more as a dialysis patient than you are making or have ever made in your life.     

First off, you know nothing about my earning or investment history, so the later part of your statement is without foundation but, if I stay on dialysis for about 25 years of so, your statement will be become correct.

Yes, I am a "taker", though this year it will be about break-even (tax payments relative to dialysis cost) in my household (unusual year, some options from my last job coming due).

But, one can argue that since I paid medicare tax for 35 years of my working career, that I am simply collecting on an insurance policy I purchased - just like car insurance, house insurance, etc. - except that the collection and payment was managed by the government.

Social security recipients can be thought of as "takers" in the short term but, in reality, they are collecting on a benefit they paid for.

Unlike disability; medicare; and social security, EBT recipients are, in general, not collecting on anything they paid for. 

Your $80B figure may be correct, but SNAP EBT is just one thing the free stuff army (FSA) is collecting.   You have to add in WIC, Section 8 housing vouchers, subsidized public housing, Obamacare subsidies, unpaid ER treatment to the uninsured, and the benefits given to "undocumented" aliens.     

"the housing market crashed and people lost motivation to pay their mortgage"    ARE YOUR KIDDING ME!    Famililes had to live in their cars because they lost "motivations!".    And who brought on the market crash of 2008.  Is it not the greedy bankers and hedge fund managers  from Wall Street!!

I'm talking economic reality.  The people who lost their houses had that happen because they agreed to pay a certain amount of  money back, at a specific interest rate and schedule, and failed to do so.    One can argue the banks took advantage of people who borrowed more than they could afford thinking that the rising house prices would make it a good deal, however, in the end, nobody forced any of those borrowers to sign on the dotted line.   Bailing out people who borrowed money to buy a losing investment amounts to "sociailizing losses while privatizing gains".

A very simple question: Would the people who lost their houses still have them if they paid their loan as agreed?

So, as a dialysis patient, I may be a "taker", but I still have the values of a "maker".

[kickingandscreaming]

So, as a dialysis patient, I may be a "taker", but I still have the values of a "maker".

And you have no way of knowing how many of these "takers" that you condemn as parasites also have the values, mentality and spirit of "makers" but might not have the where with all and good luck that you have had. Not everyone in this society (or anywhere for that matter) has access to the same parentage,  opportunities and talents  and sheer luck of the draw.  No need to look upon such people with such disdain and heartlessness.  Using the same metaphor that conservatives are so fond of in describing their whacked out economic policies--"a rising tide lifts all boats,"  if we were more our brothers' keepers we would have a happier, securer populace and lots less crime and misery that wastes human resources and spills out on all of us.

I think we should have a guaranteed basic, non-means-tested income for everyone.  I believe Finland is trying that out.

[kickingandscreaming]

The Trump campaign is hurting our children.

There’s a new study from SPLC, the Southern Poverty Law Center, titled The Trump Effect: The Impact of the Presidential Campaign on Our Nation’s Schools. According to the report, “the campaign is having a profoundly negative effect on children and classrooms.

    It’s producing an alarming level of fear and anxiety among children of color and inflaming racial and ethnic tensions in the classroom. Many students worry about being deported.

    Other students have been emboldened by the divisive, often juvenile rhetoric in the campaign. Teachers have noted an increase in bullying, harassment and intimidation of students whose races, religions or nationalities have been the verbal targets of candidates on the campaign trail.”

[Michael Murphy]

Clearly as the Trump campaign starts the ploy that this is just a role he is playing to win the nomination and afterwards he will turn on his presidential persona and then I guess he will then try to turn on his statesman persona.  If he wants to run try turning on his honest persona.  But I think if you check out his past business practices that persona may be too much of a stretch.

[Rerun]

I am a Republican (maker) in a Democrat's (taker) body.  I hate that.  So, I volunteer and have a part-time job and make things for people and give to the poor to make up for my taking that I hate.

When Trump finds out how much money dialysis patients' TAKE AWAY from Medicare which was meant for those over 65.... he will put a stop to it.  And He will be correct in doing so.  Enjoy dialysis while you can because it is coming to an end.  (my prediction)

[kickingandscreaming]

I am a Republican (maker) in a Democrat's (taker) body.

That is an totally false meme.  And a very unfair one.  In fact it is the red states that are the takers (if there such a thing) and the blue states that "make" what the red folks so willingly take.  So you have it backwards.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/05/which-states-are-givers-and-which-are-takers/361668/

[Simon Dog]

to make up for my taking that I hate.

If you paid medicare withholding taxes for your working life before going on dialysis, you have effectively paid an insurance premium you  are collecting on.    This is similar to collecting fire insurance after lightening burns down your house, and is a different kind of "takerism".

Something is seriously wrong when the welfare rate (according to the chard in the article in the earlier post) ranges between 5% and 20%.

When Trump finds out how much money dialysis patients' TAKE AWAY from Medicare which was meant for those over 65.

There are limits to what a president can do (as evidenced by the fact that you still buy evil black rifles, despite Obama's wishes), and entrenched entitlements are among the hardest of things to roll back.

[hatedialysis2]

ho's benefit is it for dialysis patients under 65 go onto medicare? was it meant to help us or the insurance companies.    How is it that if I am paying hefty premiums for private insurance for the past 30 years + and then be   forced to switch to medicare after 3 years so that tax payers can foot the bill?   My husband works so we are still considered "takers" as you wish to call it.    Not only that, after going onto medicare I still had to pay for private insurance with premiums higher than my mortgage not to mention co-pays and co-insurances deductables....     

[Michael Murphy]

Let's take this maker and taker BS to its logical conclusion. I don't have kids why do I have to pay for your children schooling you wanted kids pay for them yourself.  I am not on dialysis pay for it yourself.  I live in the country not a city why should I pay for your services.  I have a well why should I pay for your clean water.  I am not sick why should I help pay for your medical bills.  You went for a wilderness walk got lost why should I pay to help find you.  The list is endless.
We formed a country to provide the comforts of Civilization for ourselves. Roads, schooling, protection, help, all are included in the cost of a modern Civilization.  We live in a great country and as a country we have built a great place.  Not based on every one for themselves but on a community that helps and supports itself.  This greedy I got mine mentality is one of the dangers this country faces.  If you want that type of country move to a place where you get to live that kind of life.  I am sure that you will love fighting every day to stay alive and protect what you have made.  However if history is any judge you will begin to build what you left a civilization.

[hatedialysis2]

I do believe that there are takers in our country.  In my book they are the greedy corporations that pay zero taxes, write laws and make rulesfor their benefits, gauge the public, take risks with our economy and have tax payers foot the bill for their gambling mistakes, have us at their mercy and control every aspect of our lives.  They take our energies, control our minds, children's minds and have us thanking them for it.  I got to stop my rant here.  Sorry if you read this far, just venting.

[Michael Murphy]

Just got off the web to find out why dialysis is so different with regards to Medicare.  Some time in the early 60's Life magazine wrote a article about the real death committees that met in most major cities that voted on who got dialysis and who died.  This article created quite a stir and the VA responded by building 30 dialysis units and the national health service built 12 demonstration units however there still needed to be a solution to meet the number of patients. In 1971 in a congressional committee a patient was given a short dialysis treatment and from this session came a consensus in congress to provide a permenent fix to the issue.  As the 1972 Medicare update was in progress it was decided to attach this fix to Medicare,  the 30 mont limit was added because the insurance industry was no happy about paying for dialysis for  ever.  As usual for the times the American public saw people dieing because of a lack of facilities and funding they demanded some solution.  The patients would mostly have died so the politician responded to public pressure to fix the problem. 

[Michael Murphy]

Just on news trump University case will go to trial.  Trump under oath first question what are you worth.  This time lies put him in jail.

[iolaire]

Just got off the web to find out why dialysis is so different with regards to Medicare.  Some time in the early 60's Life magazine wrote a article about the real death committees that met in most major cities that voted on who got dialysis and who died.  This article created quite a stir and the VA responded by building 30 dialysis units and the national health service built 12 demonstration units however there still needed to be a solution to meet the number of patients. In 1971 in a congressional committee a patient was given a short dialysis treatment and from this session came a consensus in congress to provide a permenent fix to the issue.  As the 1972 Medicare update was in progress it was decided to attach this fix to Medicare,  the 30 mont limit was added because the insurance industry was no happy about paying for dialysis for  ever.  As usual for the times the American public saw people dieing because of a lack of facilities and funding they demanded some solution.  The patients would mostly have died so the politician responded to public pressure to fix the problem.

I'm very thankful I am living in this time period.  I'm sure we will look backwards in the future, but boy I'm happy that I have access to the current medical care as compared to what was available I the past!

[Simon Dog]

Trump is so arrogant that he probably doesn't even understand that Trump-U was in the business of screwing its students, which is why the case has not settled.

What a choice - him or the  Hildebeast.

I'm very thankful I am living in this time period.  I'm sure we will look backwards in the future, but boy I'm happy that I have access to the current medical care as compared to what was available I the past!

When people tell me they would have liked to live in an earlier era, I respond with one word: dentistry.

[Michael Murphy]

When I read your comment about dentistry which I loved, it made me think of my favorite quote from a Star Trek movie.  Dr McCoy to a elderly patient "Dialysis, what is this the dark ages "

[hatedialysis2]

How does Mr. Trump as president force China , as he says, to take care of North Korea?  Our debt to them is 1.7 trillion.   So what kind of leverage can he have.  Will he threaten them with harsh words and nasty nick names? Or will we just keep printing paper money backed by thin air to pay our debts.
Below is a breakdown of our debt as 2015

http://politicalcalculations.blogspot.com/2015/05/spring-2015-to-whom-does-us-government.html#.VyCv8NT3arU

[kristina]

I'm very thankful I am living in this time period.  I'm sure we will look backwards in the future, but boy I'm happy that I have access to the current medical care as compared to what was available I the past!

When people tell me they would have liked to live in an earlier era, I respond with one word: dentistry.

How very true !!!
... Lets just hope it continues like that ... 

[hatedialysis2]

I'm very thankful I am living in this time period.  I'm sure we will look backwards in the future, but boy I'm happy that I have access to the current medical care as compared to what was available I the past!

When people tell me they would have liked to live in an earlier era, I respond with one word: dentistry.

How very true !!!
... Lets just hope it continues like that ... 

e


I agree that here is so much to be thankful for but that'is because of the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before us.  I sometimes feel like we have become an entitlement society.  I think this Native American proverb said it best

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it
from our Children."

[Simon Dog]

I sometimes feel like we have become an entitlement society.

I hope the republick is not doomed.

DeToqueville said something like "A democracy can only exist until the public discovers it can vote itself largess from the public treasury".

With the FSA (Free Stuff Army), I fear we are there, with people voting on politicians based on what transfer payments they will get.  We already have 20% of people wok welfare in many parts of the country (probably more in the cities) and, unfortunately, these people are allowed to vote.

[Michael Murphy]

I happen to know the average welfare "taker" in New York State does not live in a urban area but is living in rural areas of upstate New York.  The reality of welfare in New York is a white female with children who does not receive child support from a dead beat dad. 

[Simon Dog]

I don't know about the demographics in NY, but see some interesting statistics at http://www.statisticbrain.com/welfare-statistics/

[iolaire]

I don't know about the demographics in NY, but see some interesting statistics at http://www.statisticbrain.com/welfare-statistics/

Interesting how the lump in "unemployment insurance" as welfare.  I've always viewed that as insurance and know that the cost of that insurance is directly affected by the number of claims a company has.  I sure hope the wackos don't go after that form of "welfare."

[DialysisGoneFOREVER]

Trump is now the GOP nominee! 

The "experts" keep saying he has NO chance but they also said he has no chance to win the nomination! Hopefully he keeps proving them wrong! 

[Simon Dog]

Too many people in the FSA for Trump to stand a change.

Time to stock up on guns and ammo if you're into that sort of thing.  Once Hitlery wins, the shelves are going to be wiped clean in a buying frenzy reminiscent of a run on a bank.