President Donald J. Trump

[3OctaveFart]

So those who worked factory jobs in the Midwest and didn't vote for Hilliary or for any of the third party candidates who combined recieved a whopping .04% of the popular vote are stupid?  Do you think there is something about their geographical location that causes their stupidity or maybe it's due to a massive amount of inbreeding that heretofore has gone unnoticed?  Clearly any intelligent person would have done what you did and not make a choice at all so, like you, he could cop a pissy superior attitude and bad mouth others for choosing to vote for one of the two viable candidates

What you fail to understand is that Trump's election, for better or for worse, is part of the rejection of establishment politics that is currently taking place in a number of countries where some form of elective government exists.  Your wholesale branding of those who chose to vote for Trump as stupid is an indication of your own lack of mental acuity.  Furthermore, your affectation of being above it all and possessing superior insight makes me wonder if you could possibly be that much of an asshole or if there is a substance involved that induces the state of delusional grandiosity that you exhibit.  I'm asking for some friends in the Rust Belt.

"Viable candidates" ... please, let's be serious.

They were both excrement and anyone paying attention knew it.

Like GWB, the popular-vote loser has a bedrock base of a third of the country (this would explain the 30s approval rating in the latest Gallup poll). The rest are the disaffected and others who don't want to adapt to a changing economy. You want to make this some grand historical movement - look, it's just not. Hope and Change was portrayed with similar pronouncements. See how that turned out.

[Kidnostad3]

"and the DNC has requested resignation letters from all current staffers."
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/embattled-dnc-asks-all-staffers-resignation-letters-n739676
What would happen if the workers refused to write their resignation letters?  Can a business force you to write such a letter, if you refused to do so? Or if you write a good one you might get a future job at some government bureaucracy or DNC job later? Is the forced letter writing some way around having to pay unemployment, contract, or some kind of labor issue? Why not just fire them? They obviously did a crappy job consider the election losses and were often corrupt (pulling dirty tricks against Bernie) so just can them, why the letters?

It's a way of avoiding the unpleasant task of telling each employee face to face that they are out of work and not having to deal with the often emotional and sometimes violent reaction that this kind of news tends not to evoke.  Asking employees to submit their resignations gives employees some basis for hope that the resignation will not be accepted thereby heading off, at least for the time being, any untoward actions on the part of the employee that might require the intervention of security staff. 

[albrecht]

It's a way of avoiding the unpleasant task of telling each employee face to face that they are out of work and not having to deal with the often emotional and sometimes violent reaction that this kind of news tends not to evoke.  Asking employees to submit their resignations gives employees some basis for hope that the resignation will not be accepted thereby heading off, at least for the time being, any untoward actions on the part of the employee that might require the intervention of security staff.

We are talking the DNC here, not some company who is not wishing to alienate future hires or competing in an actual marketplace and getting a bad reputation. They already have that! I would just blank their security cards, tell the security guards to not allow them in, box up their personal belongings- once vetted since they have proven to be leakers and conspiratorial types- by the illegal cleaning staff, and send them an email and certified letter that they are fired and cannot return to the premises (often you must say, for the record, "you cannot return" to press charges for trespass.) And do before a weekend or holiday. Don't telegraph it.

[21st Century Man]

I don't think much of your hot takes either, so that ought to make us both content.

PB's at least entertaining about it. I can see the libertarian in him screaming to get out from this binary system into which we're being thrust. Most of the rest of you swing from Trump's gonads.

I'm of the same persuasion as Paperboy.  I didn't vote for Trump in the primaries.  I've never been a fan of his.  However, I sure as hell didn't want to see Hillary as President so I swallowed my pride and voted for Trump.  I still have my problems with him.  I wish he would stay off Twitter and I'm glad this health care bill failed because it was just Obamacare lite.  I hope some of his other priorities pass muster but I'm not holding my breath.

[Lt.Uhura]

I'm glad this health care bill failed because it was just Obamacare lite. 

21st! I am shocked to see you say that. This puts you in the far-right camp who want to see low-wage workers, the poor, and elderly suffer and die with no health coverage. Please explain why you would be so cruel.

[albrecht]

I'm of the same persuasion as Paperboy.  I didn't vote for Trump in the primaries.  I've never been a fan of his.  However, I sure as hell didn't want to see Hillary as President so I swallowed my pride and voted for Trump.  I still have my problems with him.  I wish he would stay off Twitter and I'm glad this health care bill failed because it was just Obamacare lite.  I hope some of his other priorities pass muster but I'm not holding my breath.

Yep. I was suspect from day-one (look at my comments.) I even thought that Trump was a Billary stalking-horse candidate to take out other Republicans considering his history, NYC, connections, Hollywood style, etc. And, hope, I was proved wrong. He is not "conservative" but, at least so far, appears to be trying to do what he promised. And if even 1/2 done a better thing than Billary or Obama. He is fighting an epic battle though and nobody, at least me, expected it would be easy. Both Parties, and the system, is so large and self-aggrandizing, that it is absurd to think one person can change it. But even if steered in a different direction or some change (or even gridlock) is better than nothing or the growth. Despite my misgivings about the power of the Executive, and Federal government, it might take some big "moves" to turn things around. I hope Trump really goes after regulatory agencies and bureaucrats in those domains he CAN control. And we get some, or at least one, Justice who thinks rationally and hopefully other folks on various courts because the Judicial Branch has also been aggrandized and over-stepped its reach.

[3OctaveFart]

So you're hoping a 70-year-old fool will stop acting like what he's been for four decades of public life.

Yeah, good luck with that one.

My wish is, naturally, he be impeached, discarded, disgraced, flushed right down the can. His memory damned, like the ancient Romans used to do. I can live with Mike Pence. I lived with Mike Pence. They were tough years but we made out OK. At least he understood who our friends were and more vitally who our friends weren't. His name was George Walker Bush and his legacy is looking a damn sight better and better by the month.

[PB the Deplorable]

I gotta give kudos to the Rs who stood up to this ugly bully. Not that it would help, but Trump needs to get rid of this asshole.

“Guys, look,” Bannon reportedly said. "This is not a discussion. This is not a debate. You have no choice but to vote for this bill.”
Bannon apparently did not count on the fact that House Republicans knew they actually did have a choice in the matter.
“You know, the last time someone ordered me to something, I was 18 years old,” one of the members reportedly told Bannon. “And it was my daddy. And I didn’t listen to him, either.”

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_58d6d12ce4b03692bea683e1?

21st! I am shocked to see you say that. This puts you in the far-right camp who want to see low-wage workers, the poor, and elderly suffer and die with no health coverage. Please explain why you would be so cruel.

Wait, I thought you were against RyanCare, now it sounds like you were for it?

[PB the Deplorable]

21st! I am shocked to see you say that. This puts you in the far-right camp who want to see low-wage workers, the poor, and elderly suffer and die with no health coverage. Please explain why you would be so cruel.

By the way, being in favor of a market based system that doesn't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs isn't exactly wanting ''to see low-wage workers, the poor, and elderly suffer and die with no health coverage''.

I'm still waiting for you to explain how more socialism in healthcare makes it better.  With evidence, not emotionalism and wishful thinking.

[Lt.Uhura]

Wait, I thought you were against RyanCare, now it sounds like you were for it?

Your confusion stems from the fact the Rs essentially had/have no plan, thus people struggle with what to call it. One thing that's clear however, is the Rs intend to slash funding to the ACA, which we might as well then refer to as the Unaffordable Care Act, or UCA. The ultra-conservatives (heavily represented by right-to-lifers, ironically) would make the deepest cuts, leaving millions to suffer and die with no health coverage.

[3OctaveFart]

The debacle torpedoed the myth that he's some sort of super-duper dealmaker. He's not. He's still coasting on the few deals his daddy set up.

Seven years to devise a replacement for the ACA.

The GOP had squat.

[GravitySucks]

Your confusion stems from the fact the Rs essentially had/have no plan, thus people struggle with what to call it. One thing that's clear however, is the Rs intend to slash funding to the ACA, which we might as well then refer to as the Unaffordable Care Act, or UCA. The ultra-conservatives (heavily represented by right-to-lifers, ironically) would make the deepest cuts, leaving millions to suffer and die with no health coverage.

Unlike the plans available to me prior to the ACA, the ACA plans were unaffordable for me. I ended up having to get into a faith-based health sharing network. Luckily I do not need any prescriptions, because those are not covered. For me, it was a better choice than going to the VA.

Maybe the ACA works in California because they have their own exchange. Using the federal exchange in a state like Texas is cost prohibitive.

[TigerLily]

He was Accuweather's lead meteorologist for 35 years and has his own firm now.  He is very highly regarded in the weather field.

Weather is not climate. Meteorologists are not climatologists

[TigerLily]

So when does the winning start again, dipshits? Because all I'm seeing is a turkey-necked fat man get his ass kicked at nearly every turn.

Hear, hear! Well said. Let's requote this for historical documentation 

So when does the winning start again, dipshits? Because all I'm seeing is a turkey-necked fat man get his ass kicked at nearly every turn.

[21st Century Man]

Weather is not climate. Meteorologists are not climatologists

Again, he has been studying climatology long before it became a popular field.  The two go hand-in-hand. 

[Lt.Uhura]

By the way, being in favor of a market based system that doesn't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs isn't exactly wanting ''to see low-wage workers, the poor, and elderly suffer and die with no health coverage''.

I'm still waiting for you to explain how more socialism in healthcare makes it better.  With evidence, not emotionalism and wishful thinking.

The "evidence" is not hard to see: The private healthcare insurance industry in America is a failure. When I think back to the horror stories I witnessed prior to the ACA--especially pre-existing diagnosis exclusions, we looked like a banana republic. We can never go back. That's reality, not wishful thinking.

The "plan" that Ryan threw together was full of holes. Basically they've admitted any of their plans would reduce coverage, and likely cost more, so that millions of Americans living paycheck to paycheck would be left with having to choose between paying out of pocket for tests, procedures, meds, etc; or eating and paying the rent. As a result, when they show up to the ER as a last resort, they will be sicker, and even more of an economic burden to society. Why is this so difficult to comprehend? Those of you who see the ER as a "safety net" are know-nothings.

The only solution at this point is healthcare for all. It would not be free, so you can put your hot button "Socialism" to bed. If everyone pays what they can afford to pay based on income and we had group plan pricing, similar to co-ops, I believe it would largely pay for itself, with both state and federal subsidies as necessary.

[21st Century Man]

21st! I am shocked to see you say that. This puts you in the far-right camp who want to see low-wage workers, the poor, and elderly suffer and die with no health coverage. Please explain why you would be so cruel.

No, I don't.  I want to see experimentation going on.  New ideas.  I don't necessarily think the free market may be the best thing for health care but I sure as hell think this travesty we have now is failing.  Let doctors create the system that serves patients best not the insurance companies.  I will acknowledge  that premiums were skyrocketing before Obamacare was passed.  It was not the needed solution though.  It exacerbated the problems plaguing our system.

[Jackstar]

I want to see experimentation going on.

Look, look, read, read: you know me, I don't judge, but the next time you get your mitts on the genie's lamp, I am knocking you straight the fuck out.

[TigerLily]

Unlike the plans available to me prior to the ACA, the ACA plans were unaffordable for me. I ended up having to get into a faith-based health sharing network. Luckily I do not need any prescriptions, because those are not covered. For me, it was a better choice than going to the VA.

Maybe the ACA works in California because they have their own exchange. Using the federal exchange in a state like Texas is cost prohibitive.

Cross your fingers and hope to God you don't get sick? Yeah. Being self-employed that's what I did before Obamacare

[Jackstar]

Let doctors create the system

I hope you die in a cold fucking hole. No, no--not your wife, I mean: worse.

[Jackstar]

what I did before Obamacare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZoTU1_scsk

[Jackstar]

he has been studying climatology

I've got something for you to study. C'mere. Kick off those shoes first.

[Jackstar]

The only solution at this point is healthcare for all. It would not be free, so you can put your hot button "Socialism" to bed. If everyone pays what they can afford to pay based on income and we had group plan pricing, similar to co-ops, I believe it would largely pay for itself, with both state and federal subsidies as necessary.

Why didn't anyone think of this before? What could go wrong? Why do you have so many cats?

[TigerLily]

Unlike the plans available to me prior to the ACA, the ACA plans were unaffordable for me. I ended up having to get into a faith-based health sharing network. Luckily I do not need any prescriptions, because those are not covered. For me, it was a better choice than going to the VA.

Maybe the ACA works in California because they have their own exchange. Using the federal exchange in a state like Texas is cost prohibitive.

So why does a big ole' state like Texas not have a decent exchange?

[Lt.Uhura]

I hope you die in a cold fucking hole. No, no--not your wife, I mean: worse.

Jack, have you finished your packing for the Apocalypse? Don't forget a respirator or at least a couple N-95s. Maybe something to read too...

[GravitySucks]

Cross your fingers and hope to God you don't get sick? Yeah. Being self-employed that's what I did before Obamacare

LOL - no. There are at least 3 faith-based health sharing networks that were in place before Obamacare that are grandfathered in to the ACA as being a valid option instead of having to buy into an ACA plan. They aren't for everyone. There are restrictions on who may join. Each one has subtle differences. Mine is $199 per month with a $500 deductible per "incident". Much better than the $960 per month and $5000 deductible that I was quoted for a bronze plan in November, 2015.

[GravitySucks]

So why does a big ole' state like Texas not have a decent exchange?

Something about the 10th amendment and belief in states rights.

[TigerLily]

Speaking of Trump*.  How much worse do you think his presidency* is going to get?

[21st Century Man]

Something about the 10th amendment and belief in states rights.

Amen

[TigerLily]

Something about the 10th amendment and belief in states rights.

So you have the right to no decent affordable health care.  Can't make all those big oil barons pay any taxes. Got it