Quote :

"You think a private insurance company that makes $198 million in one year in a mid-size state is non-profit?"

Yes. That is exactly what I am telling you. Being a non profit doesnt mean you cannot make a profit. It simply restricts what you can do with that money. In this case BCBS of NC is a non profit. Deal with it. And Im the one you called a misinformed idiot.

And my suggestion is more competition. How much money did Geiko make last year? Yet competition keeps them fighting to provide you better service at a competitive price. It works for every other type of insurance that people dont consider themselves entitled to.

[Edited on April 10, 2012 at 11:42 AM. Reason : .]

4/10/2012 11:39:28 AM

Here's to another 4 years of this thread! Also, it's nice to see that we're down to only 37% of people who think over-regulation is an actual thing that's a problem in this country. Maybe another Deepwater Horizon or economic collapse will convince the rest of you imbeciles.

[Edited on April 10, 2012 at 1:19 PM. Reason : another]

4/10/2012 1:17:26 PM

Quote :

"Also, it's nice to see that we're down to only 37% of people who think over-regulation is an actual thing that's a problem in this country. Maybe another Deepwater Horizon or economic collapse will convince the rest of you imbeciles."

Over-regulation...lol. A simple concept for a simple mind.

The problem is bad regulation. Regulation written by the same corporations that need to be regulated. Regulation written with the intent of pricing out start ups and locking in profits. Regulation that fixes prices and causes shortages or surpluses.

4/10/2012 1:29:23 PM

4/10/2012 2:17:06 PM

Quote :

"Yes. That is exactly what I am telling you. Being a non profit doesnt mean you cannot make a profit. It simply restricts what you can do with that money. In this case BCBS of NC is a non profit. Deal with it. And Im the one you called a misinformed idiot. And my suggestion is more competition. How much money did Geiko make last year? Yet competition keeps them fighting to provide you better service at a competitive price. It works for every other type of insurance that people dont consider themselves entitled to. "

First of all, I was never the one who mentioned non-profits in the first place. Second of all, this company is not reinvesting its profits. How does an insurance company reinvest profits other than hiring more paper pushers anyway? It's not like they have R&D or production costs or anything.

And I've already explained why healthcare is different from other industries but you have conveniently chosen to ignore about half of what I posted on the other page. Still waiting for why a European or Canadian style system couldn't work in the US too.

Quote :

"CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the state's largest insurer, earned $186 million last year while raising premiums on customers as the economy slid into recession. Such large profits by a nonprofit company elicited sharp criticism from health care reform and state employee advocates. "I think it's outrageous. We have North Carolinians losing their jobs, losing their health insurance, really hurting, and then you look at Blue Cross," said Adam Searing, director of the NC Justice Center's Health Access Coalition and a longtime critic of Blue Cross. "I think it sends the message to North Carolinians that we (at Blue Cross) care more about making money than making health insurance affordable," Searing said. "It raises a question: Where are our premium dollars going?" Blue Cross spokesman Lew Borman defended the insurer's financials, pointing out that the company's 3.6 percent profit margin in 2008 was the smallest in at least five years. Profits also were down from $209 million in 2007, and Borman noted the company paid $162 million in federal, state and local taxes last year. "We know times are tough and we're trying to do something about it," Borman said. "We're in solid financial shape, and it's due to the executives that put us in that position." The top six executives at Blue Cross each made more than $1 million last year, topped by Chief Executive Bob Greczyn at close to $4 million. Greczyn's annual income included a $3 million bonus and was a 23 percent increase over 2007. Other top executives also saw sizable bumps in their 2008 incomes. Chief Operating Officer James Wilson, for example, got a 32 percent raise, while Chief Financial Officer Daniel Glaser's compensation rose by 21 percent and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer John Roos' income went up 20 percent. Borman said 85 cents of every $1 in revenue at Blue Cross goes to medical costs, compared with one-third of a cent for executive pay. "I think we put our customers first and foremost," he said. Still, the average premium increases for 2009 policies are in the "high single digits," he said, declining to be more specific. "We understand the concerns about health care, and we're trying to do something about it," he said. Blue Cross administers the State Health Plan, which provides medical coverage for almost 650,000 state workers, public school teachers and retirees. Lawmakers expect to spend $300 million this spring to cover the plan's ballooning deficit. Dana Cope, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, said he finds Blue Cross' profits and executive salaries "morally reprehensible." "How can they, in good conscience, pay their CEO almost $2,000 an hour when the majority of state employees earn $16 for that same hour of work?" Cope said in a statement. In addition to its annual profit, Blue Cross has a $1.3 billion reserve account – enough to cover more than three months of operating costs."

I don't even want to talk about non-profits though. If this was a real non-profit it wouldn't be increasing rates at close to 10% every year so they can justify paying their executives that much money while at the same time denying legitimate claims. Having some cash on hand is generally a good idea, but $1.3 billion is a lot of money. This is happening all over the country too, not just in NC.

If the government stepped in, they could lower rates to more reasonable levels and any profit would end up in the public coffers.

[Edited on April 10, 2012 at 2:30 PM. Reason : ]

4/10/2012 2:29:06 PM

Quote :

"Having some cash on hand is generally a good idea, but $1.3 billion is a lot of money."

It is 3 months worth of expenses.

Quote :

"If the government stepped in, they could lower rates to more reasonable levels and any profit would end up in the public coffers. "

Are you serious? That has worked wonders with SS. good lord kid.

Quote :

"Medical costs are inflated because private insurance doesn't pay out the total claim amount so hospitals have to inflate prices to cover costs. You argue that this is the government's doing. I argue that it's the insurance companies ripping off their customers by not providing a service that has been paid for so that they can increase profits 12% over the same quarter last year. You cannot deny that money is extracted from the healthcare industry through profit. Quite a bit of money too. I have no idea how much but I guarantee you it's a lot. "

I brought up nonprofits to show you that they too earn profits in your attack on profit ramble. Also love how you say prices are increasing bc private insurances dont pay the total claim, yet total ignore that govt does that exact same thing and require even more hassle for providers. Not to mention expensive mandates passed on that does what? Yep, raises the cost of doing business. I have no idea what you do for a living but it is pretty clear you arent in health care.

4/10/2012 2:55:05 PM

haha, Obama gonna get reelected!

no one would vote for this:

4/10/2012 7:31:19 PM

4/10/2012 10:08:42 PM

^ I approve.

4/10/2012 10:13:24 PM

another four years of this thread...

4/14/2012 1:11:11 PM

More American citizens executed.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1161432--drone-death-in-yemen-of-an-american-teenager

4/15/2012 12:07:25 PM

no need for US citizens to be in such dangerous countries.

4/15/2012 8:16:50 PM

I agree.



[Edited on April 15, 2012 at 8:58 PM. Reason : .]

4/15/2012 8:56:56 PM

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304818404577346180386346036.html

It's amazing how out of touch the United States is. Central/Latin America knows the true price of North American drug policy better than suburban soccer moms ever could, so they call for legalization.

Obama's answer? "I don't think legalization is going to be the answer." What is the answer then, genius? I'm so tired of these non-statements like, "What we're doing isn't working...but we have to continue doing the same thing anyway." More crack downs won't do shit.

4/16/2012 1:41:08 PM

^tax the rich...easy.

4/16/2012 3:51:07 PM

^that has nothing to do with War on Drugs started by Nixon in 1971.

typical, irrelevant response from a conservative crying about taxes...

4/16/2012 8:14:41 PM

green, fair, rich, taxes = utopia

it's simple

^thank you professor. If only we could get a democrat in power to end that war huh.

[Edited on April 16, 2012 at 8:51 PM. Reason : .]

4/16/2012 8:50:24 PM

^republicans and democrats are really not that different...taxes aren't going to disappear or change that much, whether you vote for either party.

4/16/2012 11:17:57 PM

^I agree. However it is spending that is the issue. Democrats wont touch entitlements which is like not addressing the massive hole in the side of the titanic. "Dont worry about that hole, the ship is sinking because the man in room 2344 has too much money. Carry on."

4/17/2012 8:20:19 AM

Republicans won't touch entitlements either, because the "old vote" is necessary to stay in office. The working generation is held hostage by the elderly.

4/17/2012 10:51:18 AM

^medicaid and unearned credits would be then. Using your logic.

Even raising the SS age is off the table. That is one of the simpliest things to do. (other than scraping the ponzi scheme entirely)

4/17/2012 12:01:53 PM

Quote :

"However it is spending that is the issue. Republicans Democrats wont touch military spending entitlements which is like not addressing the massive hole in the side of the titanic. "Dont worry about that hole, the ship is sinking because the man in room 2344 has too much money. Carry on.""

4/17/2012 12:51:18 PM

Quote :

"The working generation is held hostage by the elderly."

Just curious; what's the most moral solution to the elderly non-working generation? Push them out to sea in a canoe?

4/17/2012 12:53:03 PM

shrike which is bigger military spending or entitlement spending? Which has the fastest growth curve too? Military spending is set to be cut soon by the debt ceiling deal. Carry on

^I think would be to fund current and soon to be retirees with deficit spending, while making changes to younger generations who have time to plan. Also putting a large fixed amount into personalized accounts that can be handed down to family members would create real wealth over time. Continue to pay retirees with employers part of SS tax and deficit spending, while allowing employees part to go to individual accounts. I think the move towards a medicare voucher system is much needed, but a political nonstarter. People will want to ride that free gravy train well after it is no longer funded...they dont want to face reality. imo See Greece for example. Touching medicare is nearly a death sentence politically, but HAS to be addressed. Paul Ryan made an attempt in his budget and democrats will kill the GOP with ads about this in the fall.

4/17/2012 2:14:57 PM

^^ Let those of them that were stupid enough to save for their own retirement actually use their money for their own retirement. There is no justification for the government paying the health and retirement expenses of warren buffet.

We try to pay the health and living expenses of poor young people. We should continue to pay the health and living expenses of poor old people too. But very few old people are actually poor.

[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 2:15 PM. Reason : ^]

4/17/2012 2:15:13 PM

just need people to have more kids or this country is gonna turn into Japan.

or get more legal immigrants, but i know someone will attack that suggestion.

4/17/2012 7:27:17 PM

Quote :

"or get more legal immigrants, but i know someone will attack that suggestion. "

I doubt anyone will attack that actually.

4/17/2012 9:38:16 PM

4/20/2012 12:39:02 AM

^still cheaper than that war in Iraq...

4/20/2012 1:10:33 AM

I'm sorry, I was too busy fuming over the $800k GSA party.

What were you saying about Iraq?

4/20/2012 1:54:25 AM

^octomom is getting food stamps, thats probably obama's fault too.

4/20/2012 2:05:10 AM

White House Correspondents Dinner

http://youtu.be/hDkU1W1T-PU

4/29/2012 7:22:52 PM

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/05/obama-ny-girlfriend-was-composite-character-122272.html

5/2/2012 11:21:20 PM

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/05/obamas-composite-girlfriend-how-politico-and-drudge-created-fake-news/256666/

whoops

5/2/2012 11:35:20 PM

How do we know ^ story wasn't fabricated? How do I know if anything is real?

5/3/2012 12:41:57 AM

is a

5/3/2012 11:11:14 AM

Quote :

"Creating composite characters Some reporters think it's acceptable to merge several people of a similar type into a single character. This use of a "composite character" in a feature story is the same thing as making up a person. Look at it this way: There are real people who say real things, and there are fictional characters who do not exist. There is no honest ground between the two. As a journalist, you are expected always to write always about real people, to quote their real words, and to describe only real events that you witnessed."

Fair enough.

Drudge and Politico did have it wrong, and Obama's disclaimer in this book is actually the only real substance in the whole thing.

Because see, it's not a biography and it's not non-fiction.

But stay tuned for the sequel! I hear it's a fictional account of his 2nd term that never happens.

5/3/2012 11:43:42 AM

5/5/2012 4:31:10 PM

5/5/2012 5:02:08 PM

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-to-run-first-surplus-since-2008-cbo-2012-05-07

Quote :

"WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The U.S. government recorded a budget surplus of $58 billion in April, the Congressional Budget Office estimated on Monday, breaking a streak of deficits that began in 2008."

5/8/2012 1:47:15 AM

if he can do that x100 then ill be impressed.

more than likely it will be used to fund vacations between now and november.

5/8/2012 7:38:12 AM

Quote :

"Private Jobs Increase More With Democrats in White House Democrats hold the edge though they occupied the Oval Office for 23 years since Kennedy’s inauguration, compared with 28 for the Republicans. Through April, Democratic presidents accounted for an average of 150,000 additional private-sector paychecks per month over that period, more than double the 71,000 average for Republicans."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-08/private-jobs-increase-more-with-democrats-in-white-house.html

5/8/2012 7:01:20 PM

Drone strikes are murder.

5/9/2012 3:45:15 PM

Quote :

"But Mr. Obama actually did bare his soul unintentionally today (perhaps the Biden disease is catching) with his astonishing characterization of American fighting men and women, whom he referred to as “those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf.” Really?"

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/my-behalf_644310.html

such a fucking scumbag!

5/9/2012 9:07:28 PM

I'm just curious, what makes you so dadgum angry about that quote to resort to cursing and name-calling? It does make him sound a bit egotistical (aren't most politicians?), but he is the commander in chief of the American forces, right? Or maybe you're mad about something else.

5/9/2012 10:04:30 PM

Quote :

"but he is the commander in chief of the American forces"

You are pretty ignorant if you think I fight for a leader.

The Nazis did that.

Quote :

"I swear by God this sacred oath that to the Leader of the German empire and people, Adolf Hitler, supreme commander of the armed forces, I shall render unconditional obedience and that as a brave soldier I shall at all times be prepared to give my life for this oath."

I fight for the country, and the Constitution...I don't fight on his behalf any more than I fight for all of the states who democratically voted against gay marriage.

Quote :

"I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

Notice: Never once do I swear an oath to ANY man or woman.

5/9/2012 10:12:54 PM

I somehow doubt men that are paid to kill care too much about a pronoun.

5/9/2012 10:15:22 PM

again, it sounds egotistical, but he is commander in cheif of the armed forces. and i bet you can find the same type of quotes from almost every single president. is it the quote, or is it the man that makes you so dadgum angry?

[Edited on May 9, 2012 at 10:21 PM. Reason : ]

5/9/2012 10:20:59 PM

I don't understand how anyone in the armed forces could hate him. He's pumping more money into warfare than any single person in history.



[Edited on May 9, 2012 at 10:50 PM. Reason : .]

5/9/2012 10:49:41 PM

Who's the only man that can challenge Obama for the Democratic nomination?

This guy:

5/9/2012 11:27:21 PM