Did anybody watch the CNN/Tea Party Republican Debate?

[Docdb04]

I agree with everything up to that last sentence.

I guess that's where my Republican side begins to show. I also disagree with Churchy's assertion that healthcare is a "right."

I do believe that programs such as medicaid are important for the indigent, and I support Obamacare for the most part. But I don't feel a sense of responsibility to any and everyone who doesn't have healthcare, especially not illegal immigrants or non taxpayers.

IRT the bold, you just threw a nice curve ball...I have to agree with that point.  I believe that healthcare is a privilege, rather than a right.  However, we can't neglect the fact that healthcare is extremely expensive to the common individual.  My thought is, we pay for welfare even though we have many individuals who abuse the system.  The problem is, seperating the two categories, those who abuse and those who benefit.  Each one should be responsible for their own situation, but if the assistance is needed it is available, for those who qualify.  I think healthcare should be made in the same form.  That is the difficult task.


     

[phbrown]

IRT the bold, you just threw a nice curve ball...I have to agree with that point.  I believe that healthcare is a privilege, rather than a right.  However, we can't neglect the fact that healthcare is extremely expensive to the common individual.  My thought is, we pay for welfare even though we have many individuals who abuse the system.  The problem is, seperating the two categories, those who abuse and those who benefit.  Each one should be responsible for their own situation, but if the assistance is needed it is available, for those who qualify.  I think healthcare should be made in the same form.  That is the difficult task.


   

makes me think of this cartoon

[LaylaMonroe]

IRT the bold, you just threw a nice curve ball...I have to agree with that point.  I believe that healthcare is a privilege, rather than a right.  However, we can't neglect the fact that healthcare is extremely expensive to the common individual.  My thought is, we pay for welfare even though we have many individuals who abuse the system.  The problem is, seperating the two categories, those who abuse and those who benefit.  Each one should be responsible for their own situation, but if the assistance is needed it is available, for those who qualify.  I think healthcare should be made in the same form.  That is the difficult task.


     

I think that for most working people, the problem isn't the affordability of healthcare, the problem is living beyond our means.

I'll be first to admit healthcare is hecka expensive. However, I honestly don't even think about it because I don't write a check each month. It comes out automatically, so I don't factor it into my budget. To me, it's a necessity. Shelter is also a necessity, but I'm not going to go out and get as much house as I can possibly afford with the money I have after taxes, retirement and healthcare. I'm going to go get as LITTLE house as I can live with. It's all about values.

If you're only earning $300/wk (a little over $15k/yr), you don't need to be in a $800/mo apartment. You need a $400-500 studio or room. That will leave you a little room for utilities, food, clothes, savings, and HEALTHCARE.

As for social services, does anybody have an example of a country that does it well? I can't think of one, but I'm sure one exists. And all I know is that we DON'T do it well. We suck at welfare.

If I were president (that's a good thread title, btw), my LaylaFare bill would mandate that no able-bodied person receives welfare* for more than 4 years, except in extremely extenuating circumstances. While on welfare, you must be enrolled in school and/or a workfare program for at least 30 hours a week. Section 8 housing is gonna get an overhaul too, but I haven't worked out the details yet. Food stamp program is also getting slashed in a major way. No family needs over $1000 a month to eat. That's just out of hand. Y'all are either going on a diet, fasting and praying more, or living off of Ramen noodles. Period. Now let me see you try to sell your extras for 50 cents on the dollar when I get done with you.

And the illegal immigrants would hate President Layla. 

*welfare, in this case, refers to TANF and similar payments (those payments that aren't attached to housing or food, but just cash money to spend however you want).

[blyempowered]

Start the thread! I'll comment after work! Do it do it do it!!

[LaylaMonroe]

Kinda random...

As often as possible, families should try to live off of one income (or 1.5) instead of two. That way, if one person loses their job or gets a pay cut, etc. it won't take them under. So often, we factor every single penny of income into our spending habits and determine what we can "afford" based on how much our paychecks are. That's a recipe for disaster, if you ask me. We should be taught to live off of way less than we earn, as a matter of habit.

The problem isn't always that we don't earn enough. Often times, the problem is that we spend too much. Just because you earn a combined income of $100k doesn't mean you should buy a house with a $2k mortgage. Sure the affordability calculators say you can "afford" it, but that doesn't mean you really can.

[Docdb04]

If I were president (that's a good thread title, btw), my LaylaFare bill would mandate that no able-bodied person receives welfare* for more than 4 years, except in extremely extenuating circumstances. While on welfare, you must be enrolled in school and/or a workfare program for at least 30 hours a week. Section 8 housing is gonna get an overhaul too, but I haven't worked out the details yet.  Food stamp program is also getting slashed in a major way. No family needs over $1000 a month to eat. That's just out of hand. Y'all are either going on a diet, fasting and praying more, or living off of Ramen noodles. Period. Now let me see you try to sell your extras for 50 cents on the dollar when I get done with you.

Just like that!!!!!!!!

There a few questions, but that would be searching for the loopholes (Unless we are all sitting at the table in the Oval Office).  However, the basis of your plan I would agree with and it would be a great start.   

[phbrown]

Just like that!!!!!!!!

There a few questions, but that would be searching for the loopholes (Unless we are all sitting at the table in the Oval Office).  However, the basis of your plan I would agree with and it would be a great start.

+1

[Docdb04]

Kinda random...

As often as possible, families should try to live off of one income (or 1.5) instead of two. That way, if one person loses their job or gets a pay cut, etc. it won't take them under. So often, we factor every single penny of income into our spending habits and determine what we can "afford" based on how much our paychecks are. That's a recipe for disaster, if you ask me. We should be taught to live off of way less than we earn, as a matter of habit.

The problem isn't always that we don't earn enough. Often times, the problem is that we spend too much. Just because you earn a combined income of $100k doesn't mean you should buy a house with a $2k mortgage. Sure the affordability calculators say you can "afford" it, but that doesn't mean you really can.

True, especially the part in bold.   

[LaylaMonroe]

Bachmann called to the carpet about her claims a little girl became retarded after getting the HPV vaccine. Professors offer a $10k reward to anyone who can provide proof that the story is true.