[sdnativeson]

Cyphire, point taken, two different issues. I stand somewhat
corrected (not going to capitulate completely or immediately, I want/need more info). Still, I appreciate both the information and perspective.

True, Walker did explicitly mention the prescription benefit as a primary culprit.

As it all comes down to cost, isn’t that the issue (main issue) with our current system? After fraud (maybe before) what would be the next greatest expense? I’ll postulate lawsuits, if I’m wrong correct me. The problem with emergency rooms (wait, expense ?)I can see where the expense might be controlled but the wait is more of a supply issue isn’t it?

I agree it’s ludicrous that the drugs we develop here are cheaper in other countries, so we subsidize their prescription costs at the expense of our citizenry’s ability to obtain the same.

I appreciate the insight, you’ve given me something more to think about (gee, thanks) and a possible opportunity to only be mumbling out of my ass instead of talking from it
(at least on this topic).

[sdnativeson]

Cyphire, point taken, two different issues. I stand somewhat
corrected (not going to capitulate completely or immediately, I want/need more info). Still, I appreciate both the information and perspective.

True, Walker did explicitly mention the prescription benefit as a primary culprit.

As it all comes down to cost, isn’t that the issue (main issue) with our current system? After fraud (maybe before) what would be the next greatest expense? I’ll postulate lawsuits, if I’m wrong correct me. The problem with emergency rooms (wait, expense ?)I can see where the expense might be controlled but the wait is more of a supply issue isn’t it?

I agree it’s ludicrous that the drugs we develop here are cheaper in other countries, so we subsidize their prescription costs at the expense of our citizenry’s ability to obtain the same.

I appreciate the insight, you’ve given me something more to think about (gee, thanks) and a possible opportunity to only be mumbling out of my ass instead of talking from it
(at least on this topic).

[sdnativeson]

Cyphire, medicare? efficient? I seriously have a hard time accepting that- it’s been a pretty hot topic for quite a while. I haven’t heard much, if anything positive.

I only “parroted” what I read in the news and other blogs etc, as I said to PC – I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about healthcare programs, I admit I’m not the most well informed.

Heres an excerpt from an interview with David Walker our comptroller (Hey! this is just a sample before I get jumped on with my earlier opinion about his latest talk)

“What would happen in 2040 if nothing changes?

“If nothing changes, the federal government’s not gonna be able to do much more than pay interest on the mounting debt and some entitlement benefits. It won’t have money left for anything else – national defense, homeland security, education, you name it,” Walker warns.

Walker says you could eliminate all waste and fraud and the entire Pentagon budget and the long-range financial problem still wouldn’t go away, in what’s shaping up as an actuarial nightmare.

Part of the problem, Walker acknowledges, is that there won’t be enough wage earners to support the benefits of the baby boomers. “But the real problem, Steve, is health care costs. Our health care problem is much more significant than Social Security,” he says.

Asked what he means by that, Walker tells Kroft, “By that I mean that the Medicare problem is five times greater than the Social Security problem.”

The problem with Medicare, Walker says, is people keep living longer, and medical costs keep rising at twice the rate of inflation. But instead of dealing with the problem, he says, the president and the Congress made things much worse in Dec. 2003, when they expanded the Medicare program to include prescription drug coverage.

“The prescription drug bill was probably the most fiscally irresponsible piece of legislation since the 1960s,” Walker argues.

Asked why, Walker says, “Well, because we promise way more than we can afford to keep. Eight trillion dollars added to what was already a 15 to $20 trillion under-funding. We’re not being realistic. We can’t afford the promises we’ve already made, much less to be able, piling on top of ’em.”

With one stroke of the pen, Walker says, the federal government increased existing Medicare obligations nearly 40 percent over the next 75 years. ”

I agree it’s a serious issue. I admitted I am not all over the topic so it is entirely possible that I am talking out my ass but, I don’t think I am that far off base.

I’ve only had first hand experience with emergency rooms three times in the U.S. Once the wait was two and a half hours (at 2 in the morning!) the other times pretty quick response, the staff did a good job. But I know the point you are making.

I do not believe that our health care system is the laughing stock of the world. Don’t construe that statement as meaning there isn’t room for serious improvment. As I said earlier lets reign in the TLA first.

I still equate it to Socialized medicine. Bureaucracy, the governmental version of anarchy.

[sdnativeson]

Cyphire, medicare? efficient? I seriously have a hard time accepting that- it’s been a pretty hot topic for quite a while. I haven’t heard much, if anything positive.

I only “parroted” what I read in the news and other blogs etc, as I said to PC – I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about healthcare programs, I admit I’m not the most well informed.

Heres an excerpt from an interview with David Walker our comptroller (Hey! this is just a sample before I get jumped on with my earlier opinion about his latest talk)

“What would happen in 2040 if nothing changes?

“If nothing changes, the federal government’s not gonna be able to do much more than pay interest on the mounting debt and some entitlement benefits. It won’t have money left for anything else – national defense, homeland security, education, you name it,” Walker warns.

Walker says you could eliminate all waste and fraud and the entire Pentagon budget and the long-range financial problem still wouldn’t go away, in what’s shaping up as an actuarial nightmare.

Part of the problem, Walker acknowledges, is that there won’t be enough wage earners to support the benefits of the baby boomers. “But the real problem, Steve, is health care costs. Our health care problem is much more significant than Social Security,” he says.

Asked what he means by that, Walker tells Kroft, “By that I mean that the Medicare problem is five times greater than the Social Security problem.”

The problem with Medicare, Walker says, is people keep living longer, and medical costs keep rising at twice the rate of inflation. But instead of dealing with the problem, he says, the president and the Congress made things much worse in Dec. 2003, when they expanded the Medicare program to include prescription drug coverage.

“The prescription drug bill was probably the most fiscally irresponsible piece of legislation since the 1960s,” Walker argues.

Asked why, Walker says, “Well, because we promise way more than we can afford to keep. Eight trillion dollars added to what was already a 15 to $20 trillion under-funding. We’re not being realistic. We can’t afford the promises we’ve already made, much less to be able, piling on top of ’em.”

With one stroke of the pen, Walker says, the federal government increased existing Medicare obligations nearly 40 percent over the next 75 years. ”

I agree it’s a serious issue. I admitted I am not all over the topic so it is entirely possible that I am talking out my ass but, I don’t think I am that far off base.

I’ve only had first hand experience with emergency rooms three times in the U.S. Once the wait was two and a half hours (at 2 in the morning!) the other times pretty quick response, the staff did a good job. But I know the point you are making.

I do not believe that our health care system is the laughing stock of the world. Don’t construe that statement as meaning there isn’t room for serious improvment. As I said earlier lets reign in the TLA first.

I still equate it to Socialized medicine. Bureaucracy, the governmental version of anarchy.

[sdnativeson]

Cyphire, medicare? efficient? I seriously have a hard time accepting that- it’s been a pretty hot topic for quite a while. I haven’t heard much, if anything positive.

I only “parroted” what I read in the news and other blogs etc, as I said to PC – I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about healthcare programs, I admit I’m not the most well informed.

Heres an excerpt from an interview with David Walker our comptroller (Hey! this is just a sample before I get jumped on with my earlier opinion about his latest talk)

“What would happen in 2040 if nothing changes?

“If nothing changes, the federal government’s not gonna be able to do much more than pay interest on the mounting debt and some entitlement benefits. It won’t have money left for anything else – national defense, homeland security, education, you name it,” Walker warns.

Walker says you could eliminate all waste and fraud and the entire Pentagon budget and the long-range financial problem still wouldn’t go away, in what’s shaping up as an actuarial nightmare.

Part of the problem, Walker acknowledges, is that there won’t be enough wage earners to support the benefits of the baby boomers. “But the real problem, Steve, is health care costs. Our health care problem is much more significant than Social Security,” he says.

Asked what he means by that, Walker tells Kroft, “By that I mean that the Medicare problem is five times greater than the Social Security problem.”

The problem with Medicare, Walker says, is people keep living longer, and medical costs keep rising at twice the rate of inflation. But instead of dealing with the problem, he says, the president and the Congress made things much worse in Dec. 2003, when they expanded the Medicare program to include prescription drug coverage.

“The prescription drug bill was probably the most fiscally irresponsible piece of legislation since the 1960s,” Walker argues.

Asked why, Walker says, “Well, because we promise way more than we can afford to keep. Eight trillion dollars added to what was already a 15 to $20 trillion under-funding. We’re not being realistic. We can’t afford the promises we’ve already made, much less to be able, piling on top of ’em.”

With one stroke of the pen, Walker says, the federal government increased existing Medicare obligations nearly 40 percent over the next 75 years. ”

I agree it’s a serious issue. I admitted I am not all over the topic so it is entirely possible that I am talking out my ass but, I don’t think I am that far off base.

I’ve only had first hand experience with emergency rooms three times in the U.S. Once the wait was two and a half hours (at 2 in the morning!) the other times pretty quick response, the staff did a good job. But I know the point you are making.

I do not believe that our health care system is the laughing stock of the world. Don’t construe that statement as meaning there isn’t room for serious improvment. As I said earlier lets reign in the TLA first.

I still equate it to Socialized medicine. Bureaucracy, the governmental version of anarchy.

[sdnativeson]

I can’t say I am terribly impressed, I see nothing in the statement that has not been discussed before. I am assuming this isn’t the full article? I’d don’t want to say he is a poor student of history if there is more he said on the subject.

I also feel that the Roman Empire isn’t necessarily the “best” example to use for our country for various reasons. (I am not saying it’s entirely inappropriate.)

If he is the “watchdog in charge” he hasn’t done much of a job has he? I wonder if he truly is non-partisan? I have to ask as he has had the job for a while.

““declining moral values and political civility at home,”
Credit that he “touched” on the social/societal issues (for the sake of brevity) facing our country. I hope that when he “briefs” presidential hopefuls he expounds on this much further. Imo, delving into this topic can help solve/address the other issues he mentions as well as the economic one.

“These include “dramatic” tax rises, slashed government services”
Why am I not surprised? Higher taxes and less government services.

bsharma, I guess he didn’t mention the British or Soviet “empires” for the same reason he didn’t mention any of the past Chinese, Mongol, Indian, Persian, Aztec, etc. for the sake of brevity.

Rustico, appreciate your honesty, though the “quote” was worthy enough you should have taken credit up front.

Concho, ?

drunkle, you actually READ the constitution? Good for you.
I would say the government will do what is in it’s best interest.
I take it your comment about being comptroller general and not a real military position was just a joke?

[sdnativeson]

I can’t say I am terribly impressed, I see nothing in the statement that has not been discussed before. I am assuming this isn’t the full article? I’d don’t want to say he is a poor student of history if there is more he said on the subject.

I also feel that the Roman Empire isn’t necessarily the “best” example to use for our country for various reasons. (I am not saying it’s entirely inappropriate.)

If he is the “watchdog in charge” he hasn’t done much of a job has he? I wonder if he truly is non-partisan? I have to ask as he has had the job for a while.

““declining moral values and political civility at home,”
Credit that he “touched” on the social/societal issues (for the sake of brevity) facing our country. I hope that when he “briefs” presidential hopefuls he expounds on this much further. Imo, delving into this topic can help solve/address the other issues he mentions as well as the economic one.

“These include “dramatic” tax rises, slashed government services”
Why am I not surprised? Higher taxes and less government services.

bsharma, I guess he didn’t mention the British or Soviet “empires” for the same reason he didn’t mention any of the past Chinese, Mongol, Indian, Persian, Aztec, etc. for the sake of brevity.

Rustico, appreciate your honesty, though the “quote” was worthy enough you should have taken credit up front.

Concho, ?

drunkle, you actually READ the constitution? Good for you.
I would say the government will do what is in it’s best interest.
I take it your comment about being comptroller general and not a real military position was just a joke?

[sdnativeson]

I can’t say I am terribly impressed, I see nothing in the statement that has not been discussed before. I am assuming this isn’t the full article? I’d don’t want to say he is a poor student of history if there is more he said on the subject.

I also feel that the Roman Empire isn’t necessarily the “best” example to use for our country for various reasons. (I am not saying it’s entirely inappropriate.)

If he is the “watchdog in charge” he hasn’t done much of a job has he? I wonder if he truly is non-partisan? I have to ask as he has had the job for a while.

““declining moral values and political civility at home,”
Credit that he “touched” on the social/societal issues (for the sake of brevity) facing our country. I hope that when he “briefs” presidential hopefuls he expounds on this much further. Imo, delving into this topic can help solve/address the other issues he mentions as well as the economic one.

“These include “dramatic” tax rises, slashed government services”
Why am I not surprised? Higher taxes and less government services.

bsharma, I guess he didn’t mention the British or Soviet “empires” for the same reason he didn’t mention any of the past Chinese, Mongol, Indian, Persian, Aztec, etc. for the sake of brevity.

Rustico, appreciate your honesty, though the “quote” was worthy enough you should have taken credit up front.

Concho, ?

drunkle, you actually READ the constitution? Good for you.
I would say the government will do what is in it’s best interest.
I take it your comment about being comptroller general and not a real military position was just a joke?

[sdnativeson]

PC, I have and will . I will agree that SOME arabs have legitimate grievances against the U.S. (as I am sure individuals of other races or cultures) but every single one? Just like the U.S. citizenry sometimes they are victims of their own leaders, culture and even their own making.

As far as universal healthcare goes I like nobility of the concept, but as far as implementing it I’ve yet to see any proposal that I see as acceptable (for me). The first thing that pops into my mind is “Socialized medicine” and a bloated healthcare system that would be overseen by a bloated government bureaucracy which I have little faith in.
I don’t see more government good for anything or anyone.

Health care would be far more affordable if the Trial Lawyers Assoc. would be reigned in. Lets start there.

I admit I could spend a lot more time thinking about Universal Health care but I have other things I need to deal with, as I am sure you do also.
Give me your argument (meaning proposal), I’ll listen.

[sdnativeson]

PC, I have and will . I will agree that SOME arabs have legitimate grievances against the U.S. (as I am sure individuals of other races or cultures) but every single one? Just like the U.S. citizenry sometimes they are victims of their own leaders, culture and even their own making.

As far as universal healthcare goes I like nobility of the concept, but as far as implementing it I’ve yet to see any proposal that I see as acceptable (for me). The first thing that pops into my mind is “Socialized medicine” and a bloated healthcare system that would be overseen by a bloated government bureaucracy which I have little faith in.
I don’t see more government good for anything or anyone.

Health care would be far more affordable if the Trial Lawyers Assoc. would be reigned in. Lets start there.

I admit I could spend a lot more time thinking about Universal Health care but I have other things I need to deal with, as I am sure you do also.
Give me your argument (meaning proposal), I’ll listen.

[sdnativeson]

PC, I have and will . I will agree that SOME arabs have legitimate grievances against the U.S. (as I am sure individuals of other races or cultures) but every single one? Just like the U.S. citizenry sometimes they are victims of their own leaders, culture and even their own making.

As far as universal healthcare goes I like nobility of the concept, but as far as implementing it I’ve yet to see any proposal that I see as acceptable (for me). The first thing that pops into my mind is “Socialized medicine” and a bloated healthcare system that would be overseen by a bloated government bureaucracy which I have little faith in.
I don’t see more government good for anything or anyone.

Health care would be far more affordable if the Trial Lawyers Assoc. would be reigned in. Lets start there.

I admit I could spend a lot more time thinking about Universal Health care but I have other things I need to deal with, as I am sure you do also.
Give me your argument (meaning proposal), I’ll listen.

[sdnativeson]

I think last time around (90’s) the high end markets got clobbered the hardest (La Jolla, Del Mar, Fairbanks, Rancho Santa Fe etc.)I saw prices drop UP to 50% or close to that number in those areas. The “middle”(upper and lower) class neighborhoods held their value “better” Clairemont, La Mesa, University City (homes not condos), the areas around SDSU, etc. depending upon individual circumstances drops in the 20 – 30 % range. That is my recollection at least.

This time I think the high end will hold out somewhat better, I think the pain will be felt predominantly in the “middle” class neighborhoods I mention above which are now priced in the (mostly 600-800k) range for anything somewhat decent. IMHO, these areas have the potential of up to eventually 50% or more drop in value. I think (hope)2010 at best, as much as I’d like to see it happen sooner.

[sdnativeson]

I think last time around (90’s) the high end markets got clobbered the hardest (La Jolla, Del Mar, Fairbanks, Rancho Santa Fe etc.)I saw prices drop UP to 50% or close to that number in those areas. The “middle”(upper and lower) class neighborhoods held their value “better” Clairemont, La Mesa, University City (homes not condos), the areas around SDSU, etc. depending upon individual circumstances drops in the 20 – 30 % range. That is my recollection at least.

This time I think the high end will hold out somewhat better, I think the pain will be felt predominantly in the “middle” class neighborhoods I mention above which are now priced in the (mostly 600-800k) range for anything somewhat decent. IMHO, these areas have the potential of up to eventually 50% or more drop in value. I think (hope)2010 at best, as much as I’d like to see it happen sooner.

[sdnativeson]

I think last time around (90’s) the high end markets got clobbered the hardest (La Jolla, Del Mar, Fairbanks, Rancho Santa Fe etc.)I saw prices drop UP to 50% or close to that number in those areas. The “middle”(upper and lower) class neighborhoods held their value “better” Clairemont, La Mesa, University City (homes not condos), the areas around SDSU, etc. depending upon individual circumstances drops in the 20 – 30 % range. That is my recollection at least.

This time I think the high end will hold out somewhat better, I think the pain will be felt predominantly in the “middle” class neighborhoods I mention above which are now priced in the (mostly 600-800k) range for anything somewhat decent. IMHO, these areas have the potential of up to eventually 50% or more drop in value. I think (hope)2010 at best, as much as I’d like to see it happen sooner.

[sdnativeson]

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