Average Obamacare Premiums Will Be Lower Than Projected

September 25, 2013

  • September 25, 2013 at 12:16 pm
    Celtica says:
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    No, no, no, say it isn’t so!

  • September 25, 2013 at 12:52 pm
    wvagt says:
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    … and the sun rose in the west today, and the moon is made of green cheese, and I’ll still respect you in the morning.

  • September 25, 2013 at 1:19 pm
    Libby says:
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    Read ’em and weep all you naysayers…

    http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/MarketplacePremiums/ib_marketplace_premiums.cfm

    Now will you all just SHUT IT!!!

    • September 25, 2013 at 1:34 pm
      Dave says:
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      Yeah, 10 years of taxes providing 6 years of benefits. If you are so dumb not to see that this entitlement will soon be in the red for trillions of dollars as Social Security and Medicare are, then enjoy life on your planet. I hope you have a big checkbook to bail out your government’s huge deficits. Funny and sad how liberals have no concept of economics and finance.

      • September 25, 2013 at 2:13 pm
        Agent says:
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        You are right Dave. Libby admitted that Economics was not her strong suit. It shows with every post she makes. By the way, government subsidies means that the taxpayers pick up the tab with more deficit spending. Somebody has to pay for all this and for Libby, she is ok with it being me and you. A Trillion here, a Trillion there and pretty soon you are talking about serious money. $17 Trillion in debt as a country with no end in sight. Could another downgrade in credit be far behind?

        • September 25, 2013 at 2:28 pm
          Libby says:
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          Excuse, me, Agent. But no-one pays for me, but me. I do not qualify for any subsidy, hand-out, or welfare program. Nor have I ever enrolled in one. I’m sure I pay the same, or higher, percentage of taxes as you do.

          As I have said before, I am happy to have my tax dollars go to affording healthcare for all Americans. What I want to stop paying for is corporate welfare and subsidies to corporate farmers. And I want all Americans to pay an equal amount (flat) in taxes without loopholes and deductiions to weasel out of it.

          • September 25, 2013 at 2:39 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby,

            Excuse you, but Agent was basically commenting that you are so clueless you don’t get that you are asking everyone else to pay for it.

            You don’t understand that you are, but you are.

            Also: Corporations do not get corporate welfare and subsidies. The only corporations that get subsidies are green corporations, and democrat selects.

            Name one industry and law that was put in place by republicans that gives corporate welfare and subsidies.

            Just as a side comment: The average tax rate including international revenues and taxes is close to 50% for oil companies. You want to tax a corporation greater than 50%?

            The fact is that it just isn’t “US” Taxes. You said before you don’t care what they pay elsewhere, but elsewhere is included in their bottom line. If they pay 50% they don’t have another 15% to give in the US to get to a 30% effective tax rate.

            How are democrats helping your corporate tax area?

            How are republicans harming it?

            Should an oil company pay 50%?

            Should they not?

            You have to start answering the tough questions, not the emotional cop out ones about “oh darn those corporations!”

          • September 25, 2013 at 2:40 pm
            bob says:
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            I forgot to ask on oil companies:

            Should they pay the additional 15% here to get to an average of 65% tax rate?

            Is that fair?

            While green energy corporations pay 15% rates? (and they get standard deductions so 15% is not the effective)

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm
            Libby says:
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            Are you serious, Bob? Name one industry and law that gives corporate welfare? How about the bailout of AIG,
            zero-interest loans from the Federal Reserve System to financial institutions, auto manufacturing?

            Welfare recieved
            GM $110,600,000
            IBM 58,000,000
            AT&T 35,000,000
            GE 25,400,000
            Amoco 23,600,000
            DuPont 15,200,000
            Motorola 15,100,000
            Citicorp 9,600,000

            And a myriad of other corporate giveaways:

            http://www.ctj.org/html/publist.htm#corporate

            You seem to be the clueless one here.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:06 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby:

            Obama approved the bailout. Try not to insult your own guy too much.

            In an odd sequence of events, I’m a republican who approves of that bail out, and Obama signing it. Should I say BURN on the ASSumption you had there?

            Now moving on to your other numbers before I read the link, draw the lines together for me Libby. What are you saying these numbers are tied to?

            Really, I like numbers, but I don’t like reading a million links. I only like reading the methodology, and your theory / conclusion from that methodology.

            So these numbers, are parts of these numbers the bail out? (As I noticed GM is in there)

            And if not, “define” corporate welfare. Lower tax rates? Loans? Lower interest rates?

            I can guarantee you it is not the companies applying for government assistance like typical welfare.

            Try to be succinct.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:31 pm
            Libby says:
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            He may have approved it, but it was introduced by your guy.

            “Define” corporate welfare. Lower tax rates? Loans? Lower interest rates?

            All of the above.

            I am ALWAYS succinct.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:28 pm
            bob says:
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            All of the above on the three are not corporate welfare, which is why I asked.

            The companies you listed, some of which technically didn’t pay taxes in some years (some of which are due to having losses since 2008 and writing those off, again, something Obama put in place) are not a shining example of it being republicans faults.

            You are not always succinct. Your reply to agent missed the point of his comment to begin with.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:35 pm
            bob says:
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            And I really shouldn’t have to say, you can’t blame my guy for your guy signing a bill.

            He had every choice in signing it.

            Obama owns the bailout. If you hate it, hate Obama for signing it. If you hate the housing bubble, hate Obama, for re inflating it (which you recently stated you don’t disagree with me there)
            If you hate recessions and bad economies for the middle class hate obama for making the housing costs high, raising insurance premiums an average of about 25% so far according to the actual rates filed so far in 17 states. Not everyone will get a subsidy. I used the $50,000 example because an average 27 year old won’t get one. And their rates are expected to explode.

            Those are all areas that will harm the middle class.

            We should not be reinflating a housing bubble. You always debate whether the last one was or wasn’t Bush’s fault. As you previously agreed, this reinflation is Obama’s fault. If that bubble popping was enough to make George W the worst according to you, then Obama reinflating it is also the worst.

            Stay consistent. Stay succinct.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:43 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob – I never said Corporate Welfare was a Republican fault. I just said I didn’t want my tax dollars going there when they could just as easily go to help provide all Americans with access to health insurance.

            I am succinct and did not miss Agent’s point at all.

            Succinct: marked by compact precise expression without wasted words .

            Something you sometime have a problem with.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:44 pm
            Libby says:
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            Again – let me be succinct.

            I did not blame Republicans for any of those issues. Quit trying to put words in my mouth.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:56 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby,

            You’re just said that under Bush W and Reagan that corporate welfare has inflated, and then called Romney a corporate shell.

            Yeaaahh, you never said any of the stuff I said.

            Riiiiggghhht. You’re delusional.

          • September 26, 2013 at 8:37 am
            Libby says:
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            “You’re just said that under Bush W and Reagan that corporate welfare has inflated, and then called Romney a corporate shell.”

            Who’s delusional here? Here’s what I said:

            “As I have said before, I am happy to have my tax dollars go to affording healthcare for all Americans. What I want to stop paying for is corporate welfare and subsidies to corporate farmers. And I want all Americans to pay an equal amount (flat) in taxes without loopholes and deductiions to weasel out of it.”

            Nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. You’re insane.

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:29 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby:

            That was typed on a phone that fixed You’ve, to you’re.

            You have said all that I just said about Romney and George W.

            You’re trying to claim that your thoughts on corporate welfare don’t link to republicans in a negative way? That’s a lie, or you wouldn’t vote democrat.

            Now I’m informing you how democrats are directly linked to it, and republicans are not. Then you say that you don’t care about it, and never blamed it on republicans?

            Riiiiighhhhtt.

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:45 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob: You’re delusional. Please stop harrassing me. I know what I said, what I’ve said in the past, and how I think. I do not blame EITHER party for the corporate give-aways and corporate welfare. I don’t like it and it needs to stop.

            I’ve told you before I vote democrat because of the positions Republicans take on social issues. If they would stop all the fanatical right-wing bible-thumping madness they might just get my vote. Until then, I will continue to vote FOR womens rights, gay rights, equal opportunity, universal healthcare, same-sex marriage, decriminalizing marijuana, no banning of books, etc.

            You vote whichever way your conscience tells you to.

    • September 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm
      bob says:
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      Libby,

      They quoted a percentage less projection (based on an estimate from pretty bad methodology of what they expect age groups to be who sign on to Obamacare)than another [un-named] projection that quoted higher premiums, rather than using the [actual] filed rates.

      That’s a bad baseline. Do you see why that might not be a reliable study?

      While we are comparing, I noticed if you take the states and divide them by the total the average is $327 per month.

      Let’s take a source you once used, Kaiser, who compared the cost per employee with the subsidy in your reference that you commented on before on another insurance journal post, to that of which they compared from 2010 without the subsidy:

      http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/individual-premiums/

      The average was $215 in the marketplace. That’s an increase of 35%. Are you so blind that you consider 35% to be a “read ’em and weep” type of scenario? Read ’em and wheep people, this plan only causes a 35% increase?

      Moreover, doesn’t it seem just a little bit like they have some sort of amnesia, that, or maybe possibly, that they are manipulating you? I recall this same issue with the New York times, regarding a 2003 article claiming that Bush W was considering the largest overhaul of the housing market since FDR (more regulations, not less) and then in 2008 stating that Bush’s “ideology” of less regulations caused the collapse. These are the companies not to trust, NY Times, and Kaiser, not Fox News.

      Really, Kaiser basically said, never fear, health care costs are great! (with a subsidy) they may be up 35% without, but meh, who cares right? You don’t have to pay the taxes that go toward this plan! (lie).

      Wake up.

      • September 25, 2013 at 2:47 pm
        Libby says:
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        Bob – the $215 average cited in the Kaiser report you mentioned is per member. If you take the average premium for the 2nd lowest Silver Plan for a family of four ($774) and divide it by four (number of members in the household) it is $193.50. That is $21.50 LESS than the average Kaiser premium per member or 10% LOWER. And that is before any subsidy.

        You need to go back to the drawing board with your figures.

        • September 25, 2013 at 2:55 pm
          bob says:
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          Libby:

          It is you who needs to go back to the drawing board.

          You cannot take the cost per a family of 4 (discounted) and compare to the cost of one person to extrapolate a cost per person that doesn’t exist.

          The cost per person was in your figures. The 2nd lowest silver plan was $327 average per person. The Kaiser study was $215 per person. It’s apples to apples. Not apples divided by 4 compared to oranges.

        • September 25, 2013 at 3:04 pm
          Libby says:
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          Please explain how you calculated the $327 average premium. I do not see that on any average cited in the study.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:15 pm
            bob says:
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            Go to the bottom line, Table 48, Weighted Average Premiums, 48 states.

            Take the total of all lines, divide.

            They aren’t clear, which scares me on this study if this average is per person. They state below, that it is an average of different ages of people, which would be odd in consideration of a family plan. More concerning, Go to table 3 for the averages for a 27 year old without subsidy earning $50,000 to really crap your pants. This means the more the are off on the average age, the more they become off on their estimates by a substantial margin. Divide that one by 25. You get $753 as an average. Do you have any idea how that will affect the spending of 27 year olds in the middle class? Right now those people pay zero if they buy no insurance, to roughly $200 on the high end, and what they buy goes to tax revenues which the government could use toward something good. Economy + revenues = good. $550 a month out of a $50,000 middle class single person’s pocket? We did stimulus of $1,100 that was supposed to stimulate middle class spending and help the economy under Obama, so what do you think a negative of $6,600 will do?

            Try to read more into your studies. They aren’t cause for relief of concern. They are cause for more.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:38 pm
            Libby says:
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            Table 3 is a table of average premiums per metropolitan area. Nowhere does it cite premiums for a 27 year-old making $50,000 a year. I’m not sure we’re even looking at the same tables or numbers.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:31 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby,

            Then forget about table 3, as it was just a side comment and focus on table 4.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:50 pm
            Libby says:
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            OK. Table 4. Average cost for 2nd lowest cost silver plan = $328.

            You are comparing that figure with average individual premiums from 4 years ago (2010 v. 2014 rates). Health insurance premiums have been steadily rising for over a decade.

            If premiums increased 10% every year for 4 years (which they certainly have), then the average premium in 2014 would be $315.

            Where is your proof that this increase would not have happened without Obamacare?

      • September 25, 2013 at 2:50 pm
        Jack Allen says:
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        Bob, all you have to do is look at the cost of a college education (subsidized by Gov) and the annual % increase over the last 10 years to see where insurance premiums are going…to the moon!

        • September 25, 2013 at 3:20 pm
          bob says:
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          I actually just said this recently in another insurance journal post Jack. It’s a scary thing to consider.

          We keep on saying who should and who shouldn’t get help, while raising the costs for everyone who doesn’t get that help.

          I keep on pointing out they want the cost high, so they can create a subsidy that people need. Then you need to vote for them.

    • September 25, 2013 at 2:25 pm
      bob says:
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      Wow,

      My math is bad today. Even though the premium of $215 is 65% of that of the $327 the increase is in fact 50% when compared to the baseline premium of $215.

      50%.

      Do you not see that as a problem?

    • September 25, 2013 at 2:40 pm
      Jack Allen says:
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      I thought the average family’s premiums were going down $2500 a year?

      • September 26, 2013 at 2:16 pm
        FFA says:
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        After they go up $5K.

      • September 26, 2013 at 4:10 pm
        Agent says:
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        Uh no, Jack. That was never going to happen with this bill that no one read before voting on it.

      • September 27, 2013 at 11:14 am
        PropGal says:
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        Don’t hold your breath. Obamacare won’t cover that.

    • September 25, 2013 at 4:03 pm
      Patti Cake in the East says:
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      Why so angry, Libby? Because you are finally realizing that we’re all being lied to?

      • September 25, 2013 at 4:15 pm
        Libby says:
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        What makes you think I’m angry?

        • September 26, 2013 at 3:17 pm
          Patti Cake in the East says:
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          The commment actually posted under the wrong post…it was supposed to be in reaction to your “Now will you all just SHUT IT” comment at the top of the page.

          • September 26, 2013 at 3:34 pm
            Libby says:
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            Well, will you?

        • September 27, 2013 at 11:16 am
          PropGal says:
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          Oh, your anger and superiority complex were made evident at the very beginning of this thread “Now will you all just SHUT IT!!!” Not exactly the words of a calm, reasonable debater.

          • September 27, 2013 at 11:56 am
            Libby says:
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            I never claimed to be a calm or reasonable debater. I am pro Universal healthcare and always have been. So I guess that does make me superior. Thank you.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:06 am
      PropGal says:
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      “Now will you all just SHUT IT!!!”

      Typical Obamabot response….”if you don’t agree with me, you should not speak”.

      These are only projections. Don’t break a bone pounding your chest just yet.

  • September 25, 2013 at 1:27 pm
    Razorback says:
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    I’m more interested in what a family of 2, age 58 and 57 with a annual income of $90,000 would pay. We will find out next month.

    • September 25, 2013 at 1:47 pm
      Insurance102 says:
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      We’ll have to wait until Ted Cruz and FoxNews stop talking before we find that out.

      I hope you have a Snickers bar. It is going to be awhile.

      President Ted Cruz or President Rand Paul? Is the GOP truly brain dead?

      I guess so!!

      • September 25, 2013 at 2:05 pm
        Captain Planet says:
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        Wait a minute, President Ted Cruz? You mean, the Canadian who sports “argument boots”? They guy John McCain is quoted to say he, “…f_cking hates”? The same Ted Cruz who used an analogy about not liking healthcare reform to “Green Eggs and Ham”; a book which ends with the naysayer trying the green eggs and ham and enjoying them…heck, loving them and eating them anywhere!

        And, as far as Rand “Aqua Buddha” Paul is concerned, we’ll find out if the Cons are okay with nominating a former pothead. Further, if they want to nominate him and go against their principles, well, we can continue to move the country forward rather than regress. Cheers!

        • September 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm
          Sargeant Major says:
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          Well, I guess I will take Ted over Anthony Weiner AKA The Peter Tweeter and aka Carlos Danger. The guy who resigned as a Democrat rep from New York. Or how about Elliott Spitzer (D) former New York Governor who like prostitutes more than his constituents. Or how about Charlie Rangel the Tax cheat who was chairman of the — you guessed it— The ways and means committee which is responsible for writing the tax code- He was indicted by the ethics committee on 11 counts of tax fraud.

          Then there is “former” Democratic congressman from Louisiana William Jefferson who stashed $90,000.00 in bribe money in his freezer. He was sentenced to 13 years in “the cooler” otherwise known as prison.

          Then there is John Conyers (D)Detroit, Michigan whose wife was on the Detroit city council and was sent to prison for taking bribes. Surely John and his wife NEVER talked about his wife’s activities. I could go on and on

          • September 25, 2013 at 2:51 pm
            Insurance 102 says:
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            Sargent Major,
            What about Senator Vitter who joined Ted Cruz? Doesn’t the party of family values have anything to say about his renting of escorts as a family man?

            What about Newt Gingrich? He wanted to impeach President Clinton, but he was having an affair with one of his staff members.

            The GOP as the party of family values? What a laugh!!

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:55 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Ted Cruz at the beginning of his filibuster rant, “A vote for cloture is a vote for Obamacare.”

            Guess what Ted voted for this morning? Yep, cloture.

            I’m sure this served as a great fundraiser, though. And, we all get to see just how out of touch Mr. Cruz is. Pretty bad when your own party is trying to disown you.

          • September 25, 2013 at 5:14 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Anthony Weiner is out of touch. I’ve never pretended to be a fan of Spitzer, either. Charlie Rangel isn’t the only tax cheat in Washington and that goes on both sides. For every Democrat there is a Republican. This kind of nonsensical arguing can go on for days. Washington corrupts people, that is evident. Still, doesn’t negate the fact Ted Cruz wasted a lot of time and effort to do nothing but potentially raise some money for his own causes, which, I believe, are personal. Oh, and so does his party. If he does run for President, I’d like to see his birth certificate – ha!

          • September 26, 2013 at 8:06 am
            jw says:
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            The difference, Sergeant Major, is that those people you listed have not been suggested by anyone as a presidential candidate.

        • September 27, 2013 at 11:18 am
          PropGal says:
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          The Dems elected a former pothead…TWICE! LOL

          Cruz did not make any analogy between Obamacare and Green Eggs and Ham. Maybe you should have watched some of the coverage of his speech then you’d have some idea what you’re talking about.

          • September 27, 2013 at 12:02 pm
            Libby says:
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            In the words of Citi____Streets, “Cruz is exactly who the GOP need to take them over the cliff once again on “cruz control”. The nut is a godsend to Democrats in 2014 and a definite blessing to the party in the 2016 when they sweep the national elections back to the Oval Office and recapture the house while retaining the Senate.”

            Couldn’t have said it better! LOL!!!

      • September 25, 2013 at 2:26 pm
        bob says:
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        We’ll have to wait until Fox News forces the rest of the agencies out there to do some real research until we find out the truth.

        The GOP isn’t brain dead, but you certainly are.

        • September 25, 2013 at 2:48 pm
          Agent says:
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          Bob, I assume you meant Planet is brain dead, not Sargeant who is actually on our side. It is easy to see on Planet. He makes as much sense as the President who proudly proclaimed in front of the UN General Assembly that the world was much more stable in the past 5 years. With the whole Middle East literally on fire, mass Terrorist killings, Assad murdering his own people, Syria defying the world on WMD’s, the European economy tanking, the US economy approaching the same thing, I think the world is anything but stable.

          • September 25, 2013 at 2:56 pm
            Insurance 102 says:
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            You do not know what you are taking about.

            There is no easy decision about Syria. If Assad goes, the Alawites will be massacred, and you will have another Rwanda. Why do you think the Iranians are supportive of Syria? They are also a majority Shia population. If you give power to the rebels, how does the situation not become another Egypt or Libya except with much more porous borders?
            As for the European economy, those that embraced austerity exclusively are tanking. Those that took a balanced approach and embraced sensible approach are doing better. The German unemployment rate is 5.3%.

            You have very little idea of what is happening around the world Agent. Try reading a newspaper now and then. I guess they stressed this while I was in college.

          • September 25, 2013 at 2:57 pm
            bob says:
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            Agent,

            Insurance 102 actually.

            These guys think they are unique thinkers but are a dime a dozen. I point out two studies that clearly contradict their fact pieces, through their opinion pieces, and that’s just some anomaly or something.

            Apparently it’s still just Fox News. No matter how many examples I give about Fox being correct, and others having been wrong.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm
            bob says:
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            Insurance 102:

            Kid, grow up. Your college should have taught you to never discount any source, and not to cherry pick information.

            Kaiser study 2010, Kaiser study 2013. First insurance premiums are $215 per person. Now they are lower at an average of $327 per person, as long as you account for the subsidy.

            NY Times 2003, NY Times 2008: First bush was the most regulatory man since FDR. Then he was the most de-regulatory. Which should I believe?

            You are less knowledgeable for throwing out Fox News. Not more so.

          • September 27, 2013 at 11:24 am
            PropGal says:
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            Based on the thumbs up and thumbs down numbers througout this thread, its painfully obvious the logical folks are surrounded by liberals. They won’t be happy until the U.S. is just like Greece. It makes me so sad and scared for my daughters’ futures.

        • September 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm
          Insurance 102 says:
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          Yes. Do you know what is in Obamacare?

          You do not know what an ACO is, and this is a major point of the ACA.

          I guess you are part of the moronic GOP that will vote for Cruz or Rand Paul. The Dems should thank you…Hillary, Biden, O’Malley, etc will walk into the White House with little or no competition.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:02 pm
            bob says:
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            Is this to me?

            Hey kiddo, name the three types of retirement plans, how they were taxed, and the benefits that Bush proposed in his tenure.

            Don’t know ’em? Thought not.

            Since I do read every source (and just quoted Kaiser post to Libby, a liberal leaning site) I know my stuff.

            You’re making the assumption I don’t know what’s in Obama’s plan, while I quote studies?

            Grow up.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:17 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob: You only posted the link to the 2010 Kaiser report, but then mentioned a 2013 report which I can not find. If you are comparing a 2010 Kaiser report to a 2013 Kaiser report, please post both links.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:25 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby,

            http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2013/2/7/kff-federal-subsidies-to-help-offset-premium-hikes-caused-by-aca

            This is not the same link you commented on. Note the key elements, it emphasizes that the premiums will rise according to CBO 10-30% and that Kaiser says inclusive of subsidy that the plans will not see a premium increase.

            The actual link was somewhere on insurance journal, where they mentioned it and I commented stating that it was a crock, and that higher premiums offset by subsidies is not lower premiums.

          • September 25, 2013 at 3:54 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob:

            Since the ACA is basically going to turn health insurance into one gigantic group plan, it is only reasonable to conclude that individual rates will go down and not up. Everyone knows it is cheaper to buy group coverage than individual coverage unless you are buying stripped down, catastrophic coverage only.

            There will be some people that will pay more and there will be some people that pay less. But there will be a whole mess of people that will have access to health insurance that did not in the past.

            If this means higher taxes or redirection of resources (taxes) by the government, then so be it. We should be looking to lower costs in other areas of the budget instead of denying coverage to Americans to save a few bucks. It’s called prioritizing our spending.

            If it makes me a socialist to say I would rather pay taxes for health insurance for all Americans than supporting foreign governments, corporate welfare, and war – then label me whatever you want.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:38 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby:

            It is reasonable to make that assumption. Which is why I previously stated, just what did Obama do to get the rates so high?

            The rate filings filed so far are not down. They are up 25%. It is unreasonable to expect for the rates to go down (even if the theory is sound) when they are in fact up in 14 states as filed accounting for Obamacare law (which accounts for the amount of additional insureds)

            http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/09/04/interactive-map-in-13-states-plus-d-c-individual-health-premiums-will-increase-by-an-average-of-24/

          • September 25, 2013 at 5:00 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob – again, you miss my point. Once and for all –

            Health insurance premiums have been increasing for over a decade. The average individual premium increased 18% from 2004 to 2006, way before Obamacare was even a twinkle in his daddy’s eye.

            Again, PROVE these increases would not have happened had Obamacare not been created. And just quotes from health insurance carriers blaming it on Obamacare do not count.

          • September 25, 2013 at 5:37 pm
            bob says:
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            libby,

            The 25% increase is in one year, after the implementation of obamacare.

            I didn’t miss anything. CBO also called it. Obamacare is factually more expensive then without it.

          • September 25, 2013 at 5:57 pm
            FFA says:
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            Please advise what an ACO is. I went through the training and don’t remember that at all.

          • September 26, 2013 at 8:39 am
            Libby says:
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            Bob – you keep quoting this 25% increase, but since rates have not yet even been released, it is not a credible number. Just because you say it does not make it so.

          • September 26, 2013 at 4:58 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby, rates here in IL for group are ALWAYS HIGHER then for individual. So, if your logic plays out, we in Illinois are screwed. But who didn’t know that already??

          • September 27, 2013 at 9:10 am
            Libby says:
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            I guess it’s time to move, then FFA.

          • September 27, 2013 at 3:31 pm
            bob says:
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            Libby,

            Do your freaking homework.

            The rates have been filed in 13 states and made available. 24% so far (close enough to 25%)

            http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/09/04/interactive-map-in-13-states-plus-d-c-individual-health-premiums-will-increase-by-an-average-of-24/

            CBO rated this in 2009 to increase premiums by “Total Difference Before Accounting for Subsidies +10 to +13%” note also, that it states what I said before, 7-9 percent decrease after subsidies, so why not pass the plan that made it 10% cheaper without subsidies, let people choose whether or not to have insurance, and let those who do buy insurance have access to a subsidy equal to the 17-22% available through Obama care (by subtracting the numbers from the CBO plan)

            http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-premiums.pdf

            The Kaiser I already showed $215 versus $327, I said that was 35%, it is actually 50% increase in 3 years in comparison to the base premium of $215. That is not in line with typical raises as you said it was, that is 16% increase per year since 2010. That is which coincidentally matches with this as well:

            http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/25/us-usa-healthcare-exchanges-idUSBRE98O03P20130925

            Then on the 27 year old thing I mentioned, I was reading another source rather than yours, you are correct, I had too many sources open, but here it is:

            http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/09/25/double-down-obamacare-will-increase-avg-individual-market-insurance-premiums-by-99-for-men-62-for-women/

            Just because I say it it doesn’t make it so? I research, before making comments, unlike you and Insurance 102 who boldly claimed that something I stated didn’t happen.

            Do you really want to make the same mistake Libby?

            You said in that quote, that I replied to I might add, that us republicans are brain dead, (not in your words, you agreed with Insurance 102)

            You want more links Libby? You have not researched this. At all.

          • September 30, 2013 at 4:33 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey PropGal, Greece is the model for Progressive Socialism at its worst followed by France, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Great Britain. France has been able since the last election of a Socialist to run off the serious money in that country with its 70% tax rate and has rampant unemployment. I look for them to recall Hollande in the coming year because the prospects are not good.

    • September 25, 2013 at 1:49 pm
      NY Broker says:
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      Agreed, or even a family of 3, ages 33 and 40 with an income of $75,000. The groups they use to obtain the average are the ones most likely not to purchase the insurance due to the costs. Even if it’s $100 a month. They cannot afford it and make ends meet at the same time. I guess we will all have to wait and see!!

  • September 25, 2013 at 1:38 pm
    Texas Agent says:
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    This is the same people that keep telling us unemployment is down.
    Just because they say it does not mean it is so. Nor do they mention that the premiums of the young males will increase dramatically.

  • September 25, 2013 at 1:53 pm
    Big Jim says:
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    They talk about the premium savings in the Silver and Bronze plan. But what kind of plan are employers giving their employees that are equivalent to what one can get on the exchange?

    The agency that I work with typically sells insurance plans that fall around the Gold and Plantium levels. I’m wondering other agents that sell Group Health to companies do the same?

    If the goverments emphasis is on the premium/subsidy savings in the Silver and Bronze plans, and some of these plans have restricted networks to doctors and hospitals, then consumers are not getting a true Apples to Apples comparison.

    • September 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm
      Captain Planet says:
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      For some 30 million Americans, these plans are not apples to apples because they could NOT GET COVERED AT ALL until the PPACA became law. And, for them, there are affordable plans, which is what the PPACA has promised. Affordable care for all.

      It may get even louder on The Right as people find out they actually like this.

      • September 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm
        PM says:
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        There are options. County health does not cost without insurance what the out of pocket expenses will be for someone with a bronze plan. The premiums may be lower, but deductibles and other fees will create worse problems than what we have today. People are not turned away if sick, hurt or otherwise. However without insurance, you don’t go to the doctor for a runny nose.

        Attached is an article for Californians on the Silver plan. Hopefully in the all of the challenges this bill puts forth, there will be benefit. Maybe from tighter market, better cost management, etc., but definitely not from the intended purpose of the bill.

        http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/MarketplacePremiums/ib_marketplace_premiums.cfm

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:31 am
      PropGal says:
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      Jim, a big push of Obama’s entire campaign and presidency has been to make everyone the same. We should all be mediocre, no one in the U.S. should have more or less than anyone else. It’s the political correctness we’ve suffered through for 15 years kicked up many levels. You cannot have gold level insurance coverage if someone else only has broze level….

  • September 25, 2013 at 2:45 pm
    Jack Allen says:
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    They plan to use premiums they collect from younger people to subsidize the premiums of older people. The only problem is the premiums are too high for young people, they would rather pay the tax (it is a tax right). This plan is bankrupt before it even starts. All you have to do is look at FEMA and whats happening to pre-firm homes (older homes)right now to see this will not work….no matter how many unicorns you have in your closet.

  • September 25, 2013 at 2:47 pm
    Sarah says:
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    I just can not believe how stupid the people are who write these articles. We just received our notice of non renewal of our current plan, New plan is 40% higher. Reason that was given Obamacare! Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

    • September 25, 2013 at 2:51 pm
      Jack Allen says:
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      Thank your local blue state….guess that would be Florida.

    • September 25, 2013 at 3:17 pm
      Insurance 102 says:
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      Obama won Florida, and the Dems are about to win the governor’s mansion.

      I think the Dems are pretty well liked in the Sunshine State.

      • September 25, 2013 at 3:56 pm
        Patti Cake in the East says:
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        All those old people in Florida just LOVE to drink their Kool-aid!!

        • September 25, 2013 at 4:17 pm
          Libby says:
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          I think they just love their fellow man.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:43 pm
            bob says:
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            Bigoted insulting comment.

            Republicans love their fellow man plenty. While I don’t agree that it is more than democrats, here is one study regarding it.

            http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/03/conservatives_more_liberal_giv.html

            You need to give up the belief that you’re party owns the caring about others market.

            The reason us republicans are what we are is common sense.

            Again: Housing costs, high, Obama’s fault. Reinflated bubble. Obamacare, 25% increase across the board, in it’s absence according to CBO all families would pay $5,000 less per year. Why not give people the choice to buy insurance rather than forcing it, and let everyone else have $5,000 cheaper insurance per family? The subsidy is the only reason premiums are down at all, and that is not for all.

            We care about people quite a bit. You need to stop labeling why we believe what we believe.

            The average conservative when they say you drink Koolaid does not say you care about people to much. They say you are too emotional. Meaning you discount reality in favor of a delusional reality.

          • September 25, 2013 at 4:53 pm
            Libby says:
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            Then quit labeling us as crazy, kool-aid drinking, ignorant, spendthrifts.

          • September 26, 2013 at 3:22 pm
            Patti Cake in the East says:
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            Yes, Libby. Whatever you say.

        • September 25, 2013 at 5:19 pm
          Agent says:
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          Actually Patti Cake. The strategy for Democrats in all elections in Florida with its huge retirement population is that the Republicans would take away their Social Security and Medicare and push granny off the cliff. Vulnerable, gullible seniors have swallowed that hook, line and sinker in several elections. They don’t understand that Democrats put the Social Security Trust Fund into the General Fund to pay for the War on Poverty back under LBJ. Then, Clinton/Gore pushed through taxation of their benefits. That doesn’t sound like Democrats are taking care of seniors to me.

    • September 25, 2013 at 5:22 pm
      Agent says:
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      Yes Sarah, Michelle Malkin posted the same thing on her site. She has Blue Cross and they cancelled the plan Obama said they could keep and the exchange premiums are double for her family.

      • September 26, 2013 at 8:41 am
        Libby says:
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        “and the exchange premiums are double for her family.”

        Liar. The exchange premiums have not yet been approved and released.

      • September 26, 2013 at 10:50 am
        insurance102 says:
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        Michelle Malkin…wow!!

        Have you finished your first grade geography yet? Bob and Sargent Major can help you!!

        • September 26, 2013 at 4:18 pm
          Agent says:
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          Michelle Malkin has more brains in her little finger than you have in your whole body. She speaks the truth that you don’t like to hear and it galls you.

          • September 26, 2013 at 4:32 pm
            Libby says:
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            She may speak the truth, but you don’t. Like I said, I went to her site and she did not say insurance on the exchange was going to cost her double the premium. You said that.

          • September 26, 2013 at 7:01 pm
            insurance102 says:
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            Yes, she makes information up as much as the Bush-Cheney administration does.

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:04 pm
          bob says:
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          Insurance 102:

          Have you finished your research reports yet? You said the New York Times never said something, that they clearly did.

          I’m getting a little sick of you claiming I don’t read, considering just how much more I research this than you.

      • September 26, 2013 at 3:33 pm
        Libby says:
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        Agent – just to find out who the liar was, Michelle Malkin or you I went to her site. Nowhere does she say what her new plan will cost her because she doesn’t know yet. You’ll say anything to support your position, won’t you?

        • September 26, 2013 at 4:21 pm
          Agent says:
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          You know, Michelle is from your great state of Colorado, the one that just recalled two senators on the gun control law they passed. Everything is so wonderful there that the northern part is considering secession from the rest of it. I do feel sorry for the people there with the flood issues, washing out roads. That has to be tough on them.

          • September 26, 2013 at 4:34 pm
            Libby says:
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            Yes, Agent. I am well aware of what is going on in Colorado. It is the Democratic process at work the way it is supposed to work. If the constituents did not feel their interests were being served, they had every right to recall. I have no problem with that.

            And yes, the floods have been devastating for many, many families.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:37 am
      PropGal says:
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      But but but….unicorns and glitter and fairy dust!!!!

      Your comment got 17 dislikes….Obamabots to the bitter end! Facts are meaningless…you can use facts to prove anything!!!

      Sorry to hear you’re losing your health coverage.

    • October 4, 2013 at 5:12 pm
      Agent says:
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      Sarah, Do you remember the late great actor Peter Finch who starred in a movie called “Network” many years back? He had one of the most famous lines in movie history when he shouted – I’m mad as h____ and I am not going to take it anymore. That is kind of how I feel these days with how Progressives have ruined this country with this god forsaken law and the way they are governing.

  • September 25, 2013 at 2:56 pm
    mightyquinn says:
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    If I recall correctly Bozobama wrecked the health care system that serves 86% of Americans so that the other 14% could purchase healthcare.

    Since the other 14% did not have insurance we have to presume that they could not afford it, had pre-existing conditions which were not covered, had other conditions which jacked up the insurance cost so that they could not afford to buy it, or they could not afford to buy insurance for other reasons.

    The bottom line is that the main rationale for Bozobamacare is cost / affordability.

    That being the case, if the premiums are of the size in this article, most of the 14% still cannot afford health insurance and will not purchase it. So, if they do not buy health insurance they will be assessed a penalty which they cannot pay.

    So, tell me again, why our working, but not perfect, health care system was blown up to cater to the needs of 14% who still will not be served.

    Would it not have made more sense [something that is not a hallmark of this administration nor Congress] to find a solution for the 14% that would have solved their problems and not ruined healthcare for the rest of us???

    • September 25, 2013 at 6:03 pm
      NO says:
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      Asdf

  • September 25, 2013 at 3:01 pm
    FFA says:
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    In who’s world does more for less work?????

  • September 25, 2013 at 3:15 pm
    Insurance 102 says:
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    I am still for people to give me a definition of an ACO. Isn’t the quality of a result more important than the simple number of procedures done?

    Other countries have embraced ACO measurements bob. Taiwan and Australia are two examples. Their overall quality is better (people live longer!), and the % cost to GOP is much less than the US.

    It is time you stopped to read a book now and then bob. Is that fair and balanced for you?

    • September 25, 2013 at 3:28 pm
      Libby says:
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      Accountable Care Organizations and they are a part of Obamacare created to try to improve health care services and ultimately lower costs. And you are correct, the naysayers know nothing about the ACA that hasn’t been fed to them by FoxNews. I think many of them are unable to read &/or comprehend on their own.

      • September 25, 2013 at 3:35 pm
        Insurance 102 says:
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        Amen. Someone answered my question!

        • September 25, 2013 at 4:54 pm
          bob says:
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          This is really immature on both your and Insurance 102’s parts.

          Assume the other person who is using facts doesn’t know what they are talking about if they don’t answer a random quiz question?

          How about we stay on topic, Libby and Insurance 102, because I am well aware of the components of the law, and how about you answer why it is a good thing to have a 25% increase?

          • September 26, 2013 at 9:04 am
            Libby says:
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            A 25% increase has not been established yet. If, indeed, premiums increased 25% of course that is not a good thing. But having all Americans gain access to health insurance is a good thing. No pain, no gain.

          • September 26, 2013 at 10:53 am
            insurance102 says:
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            Read the HHS comments in my attachment below.

            Have you had any slight medical problem Bob? Odds are if you have and have changed health carriers–you have a pre-existing condition. Your new carrier will deny treatment. You can buy a rider for that coverage, but it will be around an additional $2,000 a month.

            A rider for $2,000 vs. $774 on average for health care that does not exclude pre-conditions.

            Think for yourself Bob, and start reiterating FoxNews and Rush Limbaugh.

          • September 27, 2013 at 11:40 am
            PropGal says:
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            BOB! Unicorns and rainbows and pixie dust will take care of everything for everyone!

        • September 26, 2013 at 3:25 pm
          Patti Cake in the East says:
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          Couldn’t you just look it up, Insurance 102? Oh…that’s right. You expect someone ELSE to do the work for you while you reap the benefits…typical!!!

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:02 pm
          bob says:
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          Insurance 102:

          I will emphasize: I do not quote Fox News.

          You are grasping at straws. When I see CBO ratings, CRA ratings, I read the rating.

          I do not listen to ANYONE else’s opinions other than documented cases of premium increases (up 25% in 13 states) I don’t listen to hypotheticals, I don’t let my head get off base regarding pre existing conditions (also included in the republican plans) etc.

          I don’t care about the “this economist who used to be REPUBLICAN agrees, if you’re republican, vote for this democrat!”. That behavior, as you try to say that democrats are passing republican ideals I believe, is condescending and is plain out stupid. You’re wanting to follow OPINION pieces on the law by economists. I don’t care about that tar.

          You’re the one doing the equivalent of following Rush, only in your case there is a D in front of the person’s name.

          Grow up kid. Read the studies, read the CBO reports, read the rates in the states released so far. More importantly, read the republican alternatives. Idiot.

          • September 27, 2013 at 7:49 pm
            Insurance 102 says:
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            The CBO report on FactCheck.org is the main source that proves that the Stimulus plan created jobs.

      • September 25, 2013 at 6:00 pm
        FFA says:
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        Sounds like another layer of Bureaucrats.

      • September 25, 2013 at 7:18 pm
        Financiallyresponsible says:
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        Libby, you truly are a Bozobama propellerhead. Libtard without reason.

        • September 26, 2013 at 9:05 am
          Libby says:
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          Thank you, I guess…

  • September 25, 2013 at 3:22 pm
    Insurance 102 says:
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    Bob,
    Try the Medicare drug expansion benefit. Wasn’t that passed under Bush II and not Obama or Clinton?
    You should try reading a book now and then instead of burning them. Your facts about the New York Times are wrong.
    As far as health care economists, try reading Uwe Reinhardt. He actually upholds the cost-benefits of the ACA.
    If you want someone who supports the ACA, talk to Bill Frist. He was a proponent of many of its principles. Isn’t Frist a Republican? I guess that boots him out of the party.
    But I guess anyone with a brain wouldn’t be in the GOP anyway!

    • September 25, 2013 at 4:51 pm
      bob says:
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      Insurance 102:

      Really? I already commented to D regarding medicare expansion. If you like obamacare, you should like medicare expansion d. However I must emphasize, they are different. Medicare D is essentially like the subsidy part of Obamacare. It doesn’t actually raise the cost of insurance.

      Now going on to the others, I love this!

      You really want to deny these two links were written by the same person at New York Times?

      I should try reading more? How about YOU read these?

      I wouldn’t name a JOURNALIST NAME if I didn’t read the article you nit wit. STEPHEN LABATON went from:

      “The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.”

      http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/business/new-agency-proposed-to-oversee-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae.html

      Emphasis on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were a threat for giving loans to people who shouldn’t have them.

      To:

      “from his earliest days in office, Mr. Bush paired his belief that Americans do best when they own their own home with his conviction that markets do best when let alone.”

      Emphasis on, markets do best when let alone.

      http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/business/21admin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

      Moving on to healthcare, I don’t care about someone else’s opinion. I use facts, not other people’s opinions on the bill. And here’s a few for you:

      http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/09/04/interactive-map-in-13-states-plus-d-c-individual-health-premiums-will-increase-by-an-average-of-24/

      Average up 25%

      CBO 2009: Increase expected at $5,000 per family in comparison to 2009 republican plan. Having more people insured is not in itself a benefit.

      Of course, if I wanted to have someone else think for me, I’d be a democrat. :)

      Want to play more insurance 102? Don’t play with the bull if you don’t want the horns, especially if you’re just a little sheep.

      • September 26, 2013 at 10:15 am
        Libby says:
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        Bob – your Forbes study includes only 13 states. You can’t make a blanket statement that rates are going up 25% just based on the results of 13 states. Your methodology does not work.

        • September 27, 2013 at 3:58 pm
          bob says:
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          Libby:

          CBO itself already did the project on this Libby.

          And you can’t ignore 13 states.

          Plus you aren’t credible. YOU said that no one had released their rates (either a lie or wrong). I said they did and said the average.

          I’ve shown you enough links, CBO related showing the increase, and you refuse to acknowledge it.

          The costs are going up. Stop crying like brain dead person ignoring facts (see it isn’t so nice when I say it is it Libby?) and start facing the music.

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:49 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob – anticipated rates have been released. No ACTUAL rates will be released until 10/1/13. And the CBO can be wrong.

            I am not the one crying here and I certainly am not brain dead. If prices go up, they go up. My point is we don’t know yet because rates have not OFFICIALLY been released and won’t be until 10/1/13.

    • September 25, 2013 at 4:53 pm
      bob32 says:
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      Insurance 102:

      Really? I already commented to D regarding medicare expansion. If you like obamacare, you should like medicare expansion d. However I must emphasize, they are different. Medicare D is essentially like the subsidy part of Obamacare. It doesn’t actually raise the cost of insurance.

      You really want to say I’m wrong about New York Times?

      STEPHEN LABATON went from:

      “The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.”

      http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/business/new-agency-proposed-to-oversee-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae.html

      Emphasis on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were a threat for giving loans to people who shouldn’t have them.

      To:

      “from his earliest days in office, Mr. Bush paired his belief that Americans do best when they own their own home with his conviction that markets do best when let alone.”

      Emphasis on, markets do best when let alone.

      http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/business/21admin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

      Moving on to healthcare, I don’t care about someone else’s opinion. I use facts, not other people’s opinions on the bill. And here’s a few for you:

      http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/09/04/interactive-map-in-13-states-plus-d-c-individual-health-premiums-will-increase-by-an-average-of-24/

      Average up 25%

      CBO 2009: Increase expected at $5,000 per family in comparison to 2009 republican plan. Having more people insured is not in itself a benefit.

      Of course, if I wanted to have someone else think for me, I’d be a democrat. :)

      • September 26, 2013 at 9:28 am
        Agent says:
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        Good one Bob. I like your last sentence a lot. You can also throw the undecided Independents like Ron into the mix as well. They seem to have the inability to think critically and need some internet website to tell them what to believe and think.

    • September 25, 2013 at 5:43 pm
      bob says:
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      Insurance 102,

      Oh boy, I love you. You really want to say that New York times didn’t do what I said? Really? Let’s play, you intellectual wimp/bully.

      First of all, I have talked with D regarding medicare part d. That is medical funding. It didn’t raise the cost of insurance, and then subsidize it for others.

      But are you sure that didn’t happen?

      Maybe you need to read:

      Same journalist, STEPHEN LABATON,

      He went from: “The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.”

      http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/business/new-agency-proposed-to-oversee-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae.html

      To: “From his earliest days in office, Mr. Bush paired his belief that Americans do best when they own their own home with his conviction that markets do best when let alone.”

      http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/11/business/new-agency-proposed-to-oversee-freddie-mac-and-fannie-mae.html

      As far as my healthcare points, they are about costs, and the costs are what they are, regardless of whatever reference you give.

      Side comment: Unlike democrats, I use my and form my own opinion with my own brain. Try it sometime. I guess that’s a democrat trait though, have someone else think for you, right?

      ;)

      • September 26, 2013 at 10:37 am
        insurance102 says:
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        Wow. You seem to quote a lot from the New York Times. Wasn’t it the conservative New York Times that laid out this cost comparison

        http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/09/24/us/health-care-premiums.html?_r=0

        And your comments about costs are erroneous. For those who buy health insurance currently, they can be turned down for pre-existing conditions that happened over twenty years ago. For example, one of my co-workers had a child who had a vision condition twenty five years ago. When his child lost his job, he got health insurance that excluded all conditions related to his vision condition. He was able to purchase a rider that gave him the coverage. The cost….$2,200 a month?

        Since you love to quote the NY Times so much, the average cost under the exchange for a family of four will be $774 a month. This would cover pre-existing conditions.

        Bob here is a bit of advice that you won’t hear on Fox News to drop on bulletin boards when you start to think for yourself. There are two conclusions for you that will help you through life: 1) Don’t do that. 2) You could have saved the cost of your deficient college education by paying three weeks of fines for overdue books at your local library.

        As for Part D, why not embrace the plan currently used for prescription drugs by the Veterans department? It will help to lower drug costs for a larger number of Americans. Part D costs have several holes. You can read the attached article.

        http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/does-medicart-part-d-make-the-case-for-paul-ryans-plan/2011/05/19/AGfPbyLH_blog.html
        Food for thought:

        Why do all the blue states (on average) contribute much more about red states that often support their programs, but we often hear from red state representatives (like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz) about cutting spending?

        If you want to live like a Republican, vote for a Democrat (Harry Truman)

        Have a great day Bob/Bobby or whatever you call for yourself! Let the readers know when you have an original thought and can think for yourself instead of reiterating Fox News and Rush Limbaugh.

        Sargent Major and Agent can help you with this assignment!

        • September 27, 2013 at 3:56 pm
          bob says:
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          Insurance 102:

          You said it never happened, it did. Let’s stay on topic kid.

          Moving on to part d: I don’t need the commentary.

          None of what I posted was from Fox News. None. Not one link. You cannot use that cop out, coward.

          My comments on cost are not erroneous. Pre existing conditions is not the reason behind the cost increase. Republicans have presented plans that cover pre existing conditions. So much for that one.

          Any more cowardly, uneducated fall backs?

          I might add your commentary about colleges shows you prefer the few book reading as opposed to real study.

          • September 27, 2013 at 6:04 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            Which plan?

            You sound as erroneous as Paul Ryan when he accused Obama of cutting Medicare $700 billion when his own plan…when his plan had the same reduction in spending!

            It takes real cajones to attack someone for doing something that you would have done….

          • September 27, 2013 at 6:17 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            Few book reading? You belong in first grade along with Agent, Sarah and Sargent Major!

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:36 pm
          bob says:
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          If you didn’t catch that Insurance 102, while you were immature and said I read a lot of New York Times, New York Times was only relevant to show companies who contradict themselves.

          Fox doesn’t have the market on it. Kaiser has done it, MSNBC has done it. Did you know they have a report showing that about 25% of gas costs are in the form of taxes that get passed on to the consumer? Then they went on later to say that taxes would not affect the cost of gas, if Obama unfairly targeted gas companies for higher tax rates (cronyism I might add, they already pay a rate at about 45% average including total revenues world wide versus world wide taxes).

          I read a lot. Not just any one site. You were shocked that I was able to pull up two articles, then another two Kaiser, who I also read a lot and is Liberal, you want to be shocked as I do it with MSNBC if you don’t believe me on the prior? I read them ALL. I don’t just read a few a lot, I read them ALL a lot.

          You don’t. And it’s easy to tell by your slant and typical liberal left commentary, while trying to state that everyone says what I do?

          Kid, I’ve been searching for republicans like me. They don’t exist mainstream. I’m a lot more on the libertarian edge, so are you saying my arguments are common? They aren’t.

          • September 27, 2013 at 6:15 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            Bob, you simply do not know what you are talking about.

            I was a Kaiser health plan member when I started at my first employer back in 1998. My experience as a patient (and talking with doctors that have worked there) that it is far more to what the ACA is than other methods. It places emphasis on ACO’s and the quality of patient care versus simply treating patients or referring them.

            Doctors take the time to consult and diagnose versus to treat without doing the first two steps. Doctors and other workers that have left after they acheive the full value of their defined benefit pension (30 years service) often go to work at other medical groups. ALL of these professionals have gone on to mention the waste and unnecessary care that is in these groups but not in Kaiser.

            Don’t try to peg me as a card carrying liberal. My political views are much closer to Bill Clinton and Mark Warner. That is why I consider myself to be part of the new democrat or a blue dog democrat than a Charlie Rangel democrat.

            Stop and think for yourself Bob.

    • September 25, 2013 at 6:00 pm
      bobby says:
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      Insurance 102,

      This thing is not letting me post the links, but yes, the New York times event did happen.

      Look up: 2003 housing crises New York Times Stephen Labaton.

      Quote: “The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.”

      Compare to the 2008 article, ”
      The Reckoning
      White House Philosophy Stoked Mortgage Bonfire ”

      Quote: “From his earliest days in office, Mr. Bush paired his belief that Americans do best when they own their own home with his conviction that markets do best when let alone.”

      Medicare I have gone over with D in the past. I’m aware of it. A government funded program, is different than one that messes with both the private and public sector, and causes the private sector to go up 25% on average.

      As far as health care economists, they were never part of my facts. The cost of the care is. I use my own brain to draw a conclusion, rather than someone else’s. I like to think for my own. It’s not common of democrats.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:42 am
      PropGal says:
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      Its amazing how typical you and Libby are of soooo many of the liberals I’ve met on line and in real life. Sarcastic comments, name calling, insulting. The behaivor we all expect of spoiled, entitled children.

      • September 30, 2013 at 2:23 pm
        Agent says:
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        Hey PropGal, you are right. The Progressive Liberals in our society are all for a failed philosophy that has never worked in the history of the world. They will just attack Conservatives with all kinds of rants trying to justify their position. It does not work on people that have common sense and Conservative ideas.

  • September 25, 2013 at 3:29 pm
    FFA says:
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    Anyone with a brain would not have voted for an Illinois Politician that cut his teeth in Crook County and has close ties to convicted felons like Rezco & Levine then hides behind executive privilege to avoid testifying in the Blago trial.

    Even you Insurance 102 would have been a better option.

    • September 25, 2013 at 5:04 pm
      Agent says:
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      FFA, Have you read the Wall Street Journal report titled Young Buyers face sticker shock on new Insurance Exchanges? While we have liberals trumpeting about lower costs under Obamacare, the facts seem to keep getting in their way. The article compares rates for a 27 year old in select metro areas in 36 states where the Federal Government will oversee the exchanges. Following is a short summary and comparison of monthly rates:
      Birmingham Al – Exchange Premium – $170 – Current Premium $80
      Anchorage Alaska – 254 79
      Phoenix, Ar 139 50
      Little Rock, Ark 190 39
      Delaware 203 51
      Miami, Fl 163 66
      Chicago, Il 125 74
      Wichita, Ks 121 43
      Jackson, Miss 199 58
      Charlotte, NC 183 35
      Columbus, Oh 205 47
      Houston, Tx 138 63
      Milwaukee, Wi 200 69

      There are more, but this is a good cross section of what the premiums will be. I am not sure the subsidies offered will offset the increased cost. If I were a healthy 27 year old, I wouldn’t sign up for this and would just pay the tax, wouldn’t you?

      • September 25, 2013 at 5:11 pm
        Agent says:
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        My post did not come out right even though I tried to spread it out. The first numbers behind the cities was the exchange rate and the second one is the current private insurance rate. Quite a difference.

      • September 25, 2013 at 5:20 pm
        Captain Planet says:
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        Yes, but this is comparing the high deductible “disaster” plans to actual real healthcare. Leave it to Rupert to slant the picture to the right again. He even admitted that is what his “news” outlets do back in ’08:
        http://www.politicolnews.com/murdoch-fox-news-admits-manipulating-the-news/

        • September 25, 2013 at 5:54 pm
          Agent says:
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          Planet, Liars figure, but figures don’t lie. We have been lied to from the start by this President and his minions and you still don’t get it. Do you think all these cancellation notices by carriers on current plans are a lie? What about the lie that if you like your plan and doctor, you can keep them. That is a real whopper.

          • September 25, 2013 at 6:01 pm
            NO says:
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            Why do you just ignore the fact that the comparison numbers are not comparing similar products? The exchange rates are for products that cover much more than the catastrophic policies listed as the current lowest price.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:43 am
      PropGal says:
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      But if people didn’t vote for him, they are racists.

  • September 25, 2013 at 4:12 pm
    Robert Terwilliger says:
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    If I understand correctly, in order to qualify for a credit, I must purchase a plan through one of the new health insurance exchanges. If the credit will lower my premium as the article says, then isn’t this a violation of insurance rebating laws in most states?

    • September 25, 2013 at 5:51 pm
      Agent says:
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      Robert, I hate to tell you this, but Insurance Laws regarding rebating do not apply to our unaccountable Federal Government who sincerely believes they can do anything they want. I do agree with you that this is a clear case of rebating to get to a lower premium by giving subsidies/tax credits.

    • September 25, 2013 at 5:55 pm
      No says:
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      No, becuase a rebate comes from the insurer. The insurer isn’t giving the tax credit here, the government is.

    • September 25, 2013 at 6:00 pm
      NO says:
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      A rebate comes from an insurer outside the policy. This is not a rebate because it doesn’t come from the insurer, but from the government instead. Additionally, it is a tax credit not an immediate refund.

      • September 26, 2013 at 12:58 pm
        Agent says:
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        According to FFA who has attended the training, the credit is immediate when it is applied for. This is a rebate plain and simple.

        • September 26, 2013 at 1:36 pm
          FFA says:
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          Correction Agent – Could be applied in advance if you choose. Things get ‘audited” om April 15th.

          • September 26, 2013 at 4:27 pm
            Agent says:
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            Is getting it in advance not a rebate to obtain insurance? I realize the now infamous IRS will be checking on people and the audits will be flying, especially if people try to double dip.

          • September 26, 2013 at 4:44 pm
            Libby says:
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            A rebate is supposed to be an inticement or bribe for someone to buy insurance from you. Since the subsidies are not coming from the agent or carrier, this is NOT a rebate. Please go back and re-take your agent’s license exam.

          • September 26, 2013 at 5:03 pm
            FFA says:
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            No it is not. Obama has defined it as a subsidy.
            Any way you or Libby want to try and slant it, this will cost Everyone more in taxes and or premium.

            This is costing people ours and jobs according to Webster definition.

    • September 26, 2013 at 8:14 am
      jw says:
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      No, because rebate laws only refer to the insurer giving a rebate.

  • September 25, 2013 at 5:03 pm
    Kary York says:
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    While the premiums/month may be slightly lower, my current $320/mo will become $306/mo, I was just informed by my provider here in WA that my deductible will go from $2500 to $6350 and that is just for their “bronze” program that they mapped me to. I will also have to move to a Preferred provider which my current plan does not make me do. I am one of those who won’t qualify for the subsidy payment so I am being penalized with a much greater deductible. How fair is that?

  • September 25, 2013 at 6:23 pm
    Glenn says:
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    What a bunch of asolute jibberish …. our company’s health premiums have doubled in the past 3 years in anticipation of Obama Care. Now the government puts out low first year premium numbers, rebates everyone to make them really fat dumb and happy, and these knuckle heads pass it on as gospel. Boy we’ve never seen this kind of thing before huh (i.e. medicare, SS, Federal Flood Insurance …)?

    They forget to metnion access to care,how long can state pay their part, where the “subsidies” will actually come from, how many jobs will be lost – and just how expenseive this “free healthcare” is going to get in the next few years.

  • September 25, 2013 at 10:06 pm
    Sargeant Major says:
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    Insurance 102 said- “What about Newt Gingrich? He wanted to impeach President Clinton, but he was having an affair with one of his staff members.”

    Ins 102- Here is a little secret for you- Clinton was impeached on two counts- obstruction of justice and perjury for lying to a federal grand jury.
    If you believe that Newt Gingrich did not press the impeachment because of the affair then you must believe that Clinton blackmailed him to keep his own inappropriate behavior a secret.

    • September 26, 2013 at 10:30 am
      Agent says:
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      Impeached but not removed because they couldn’t get the liberal Senate to do the trial and the votes weren’t there to remove. If the blue dress didn’t show up, the House could not have impeached him. I am still shocked that poor Monica did not end up floating face down in the Potomac. She was luckier than Vince Foster who supposedly committed suicide in a park with the gun far from his body. They had his office cleaned out within the hour.

    • September 26, 2013 at 11:18 am
      insurance102 says:
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      Sargent Major,
      More food for thoughts:

      Any comments on former Larry Craig trying to pick up men in a public airport restroom and being cited for this?

      What about former Congressman Mark Foley who solicited young congressional pages while in Washington?

      Party of family values? What a laugh!!

      Keep them coming Sargeant Major!!

      • September 26, 2013 at 11:35 am
        Libby says:
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        And he calls Weiner a pervert!

        • September 26, 2013 at 2:03 pm
          FFA says:
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          When Brett Farve pull a “Weiner” it was ok. It was just something else Brett threw out there that got intercepted…

      • September 26, 2013 at 1:39 pm
        Sargeant Major says:
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        Ins 102, sure I have a few comments

        * Kwame Kilpatrick (son of Carolyn Kilpatrick (D) Mich) Now the former Mayor of Detroit convicted on 34 counts of running a criminal enterprise in the Mayors office and stealing the city blind. Wonder why the city went bankrupt, now we know. He is to be sentenced to 20 plus years. By the way, the last Republican Mayor was in 1961

        * How about Jesse “I am crazy but not really” Jackson Jr. Who claims he is now nuts but plead guilty to stealing money from his campaign fund ($750,000) so he could buy personal items including Michael Jackson’s hat- LOL He gets 30 months in the gray bar hotel and his wife gets 12.

        http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-sentenced-to-30-months.html?_r=0

        * Tim Geitner- Who served under Obama as (unbelievable)Treasury Secretary and was a …. Tax Cheat.

        http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-01-19/opinions/36820326_1_tax-specialist-commercial-tax-tax-season

        * Rod Blagojevich (D) Former Governor of IL now serving 14 years in prison on corruption charges including trying to sell Obamas Senate seat to the highest bidder.

        I could go on and on. By the way why is it that the Democrats want higher taxes for the working people and then around and cheat the government out of taxes they owe?

        • September 26, 2013 at 3:55 pm
          Agent says:
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          Sargeant, didn’t we also have the former mayor (D) of San Diego get drummed out of office for sexual harassment or am I wrong?

          • September 26, 2013 at 3:59 pm
            Libby says:
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            This argument is stupid. There’s plenty of scandal to go around. It certainly isn’t limited to one party, one race, one gender, etc.

          • September 26, 2013 at 5:37 pm
            Sargeant Major says:
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            Yes Agent, he was a pervert too.

  • September 25, 2013 at 10:35 pm
    Sargeant Major says:
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    Planet said- “Anthony Weiner is out of touch”

    Planet, nice choice of words- and pretty funny. But come on you have to be kidding? I am sure you and some of the left wing cook fringe bloggers loved the guy. He was one of the most liberal (if not the most liberal)Democrats in the country.
    The fact is Weiner is a pervert and got caught texting his junk to any female that looked at him.

    They say Sydney Leathers (porn actress), Weiner’s latest sexting partner has a new porn movie she just released called “Weiner and Me”
    She Also went around passing out T shirts in New York and had one on when photographed that said ” Erect Carlos Danger for Mayor”. Way to pick em Carlos Danger.

    That guy is an idiot.

    • September 26, 2013 at 9:58 am
      Agent says:
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      As I recall Sargeant, Wiener got 5% of the vote. Even the liberal New Yorkers had a tough time voting for this pervert. I wonder how long his little Muslim wife will stay with him since his political career is over with few prospects for the future. He will be lucky if Obama can find a job for him in the administration.

      • September 26, 2013 at 10:46 am
        insurance102 says:
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        Agent,
        What do you have against Muslims? Are you one of the geographically challenged Americans who thinks Miss America is a Muslim or an Arab American?
        Do a favor. From your previous comments, your knowledge of geography and world affairs is poor (at best).
        Why don’t you pick up a magazine like The Economist and read about the world now and then? We can start you reviewing first grade material.
        Bob and Sargent Major can join you in class since they are as or more intellectually deficient than you.
        Cheers!

        • September 26, 2013 at 11:05 am
          Libby says:
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          Yes, 102, Agent has an issue with Muslims. And anyone else that is not just like him. Sarge has the same problem, but on a much larger scale. They are continuing the long legacy of Archie Bunker into the 21st century.

          • September 26, 2013 at 1:42 pm
            Sargeant Major says:
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            SO Libby you think we are “Archie Bunker” as opposed to what? You who surfs the internet for KKK news and posts links to their website on IJ? LOL, take your hood or pillow case off and look in the mirror- HaHaHa

          • September 26, 2013 at 2:11 pm
            Libby says:
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            Hey, Sarge. You’re the one that asked about black KKK members. I just went to the source for the answer. That makes me smart, not racist.

        • September 26, 2013 at 4:03 pm
          Agent says:
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          Yes 102, I do have a problem with these peace lovers who keep attacking us for the past 12 years, chanting death to all infidels, honor killing their daughters if they look at a non muslim, having a Major in our Army who slaughters 13 American soldiers, Muslim immigrants bombing innocent Americans in Boston, all in the name of Islam. You apparently don’t keep up with the news much to disregard what Muslims are doing all over the world. If they can kill an American, they think there are 72 virgins waiting for them in heaven. The so called peaceful Muslims in this country never step up to the plate and condemn them either because of fear or they agree with them. Muslims all over the world cheered on 9/11 when they did the worst Terrorist act in history. I don’t cut them any slack. I would just as soon load them all up on ships and send them back to the country of origin.

          • September 26, 2013 at 6:48 pm
            insurance102 says:
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            Most Muslims live outside the Middle East Agent.

            Indonesia has the largest number of Muslims in the world, and have they done any damage to America?

            India and Pakistan have the 2nd and 3rd highest number of Muslims in the world (via population). In fact, the Muslim population of any of these three countries is larger than the entire Muslim population in the entire Middle East. By the way, Agent….Pakistan and Indian are in South Asia and not the Middle East. Moreover, Miss America is NOT Muslim. She is Hindu.

            As someone who is an Indian American, your facts about Muslims are incorrect. Many stood up in their mosques, community centers, etc to exclaim what was done was hijacking Islam. The fact that they do not seek a grand platform to do this is their perogative. If you shipped the Muslims back to their countries of origin, it would be America’s loss (especially in health care!!). There are quite a large number of prominent number of Muslim doctors in New York and around the US agent. The same is true of professions that Muslim Americans take on this country that would be America’s wish if they were “shipped out” like you would want them to.

            I have never seen you, but I can imagine you with short brown hair with a little moustache wearing boots and clicking them together like a certain man in 1940’s Germany.

            You truly are ignorant. I was wrong to compare Sargent Major, Sarah and Bob to you. They have much more class than you.

            Go to a library, and read a book agent. That wouldn’t be such a good idea. You probably wouldn’t like what you saw, and you would just burn the place down.

          • September 26, 2013 at 6:49 pm
            insurance102 says:
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            Any reply to the American soldier who randomly killed Afghani women and children? Is that justified in your book?

          • September 27, 2013 at 9:39 am
            Captain Planet says:
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            Yes, be afraid of Ahmad Rashad, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Dr. Oz, Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, and supermodel Iman. Those “people” totally want to blow America up. Put them on a ship immediately!

            By the way CAIR has denounced radical Islam, Muslim leaders in Kenya have condemend the mall terror attack in their newspaper, The Standard, the Somali President condemned it, how about the Boston bomber’s uncle? He was on TV denouncing his nephew and the act. Here is a direct quote from Iman Muhammed Mehtar from the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake, “We know that people who commit such acts of violence, they are not part of us,” speaking of the Boston bombers.

            Instead of being racist, which you clearly are at leat towards those of this religion, maybe take some time to educate yourself about the religion. Meet some who practice the faith. I think you’ll find they aren’t all suicide bombing martyrs looking for 72 virgins.

          • September 27, 2013 at 11:56 am
            PropGal says:
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            Indonesia did irreperable harm to the United States…

            they gave us Obama.

          • September 27, 2013 at 12:17 pm
            Libby says:
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            INDONESIA gave us Obama? Please take a geography class and quit embarrassing yourself.

          • September 27, 2013 at 12:54 pm
            FFA says:
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            “there are 72 virgins waiting for them”

            what good are 72 virgins if they blow them selves – including their dingger – up????

          • September 27, 2013 at 2:35 pm
            FFA says:
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            Well agent… Having another one of them days…
            Got home from work on Monday, another IRS audit notification for 2012. They haven even finished 2011 audit and here is another one waiting. That make three in 5 years for me. On Wednesday, some yahoo blasted my wife while she was at a stop light. Put het, my daughter and two gr kids in the hospital. did I mention she had knee surgery three weeks ago?
            And Final clean up of my parents house this week. Lets begin the arguments now – what do you want that he/she wants????? Why does he get it and not me???? No one wants the pool table. Any one out there want it? Its about 5 years old and never used….
            Just another typical week in my world…..

    • September 26, 2013 at 6:04 pm
      Agent says:
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      Hey Sargeant, down here in Texas, you go to prison if you stalk and molest children. They don’t fare well in prison and many don’t walk out after their first visit to the shower.

      • September 27, 2013 at 1:14 pm
        Agent says:
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        FFA, We can always count on you to lighten up our day. It is pretty hard to get a word in edgewise between 102’s and Libby’s rants on the merits of Progressive Socialism and trying to convince us they are right and we are wrong. They have fallen for the whole corrupt concept and Karl Marx is their hero.

        • September 27, 2013 at 1:43 pm
          Libby says:
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          Almost as bad as your anti-Keynsian, pro-Friedman rants, Agent.

      • September 27, 2013 at 1:47 pm
        jw says:
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        How in the world did you get from this article to stalking and molesting children?

        • September 27, 2013 at 1:56 pm
          Libby says:
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          I wondered that myself, but didn’t want to ask because I was afraid he might tell me.

      • September 27, 2013 at 3:30 pm
        Agent says:
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        Wow FFA, if you didn’t have bad luck, you wouldn’t have any luck at all. Did you apply to the IRS for 501C3 status for an organization to receive this kind of treatment? Did Rahm Deadfish sic them onto you? Sorry about the accident. Are they allright now? Did the other party have insurance or are they one of the uninsured multitude running around? Here in Texas, we have compulsory Auto Insurance, but with all the illegals running around, they have no clue what insurance even is. They buy some rattletrap from an individual for cash, don’t register, don’t get insurance, no drivers license and see how long they can get away with it. Then, they go out and run over someone. A few of the uninsured crowd get one of those month to month policies which should be banned, get their car registered, get their license and then drop it for the other 11 months of the year. I got totalled by one some years ago and he had a rap sheet as long as your arm and the rookie cop didn’t run him through the computer so he walked and then disappeared. It was only $60,000 on my Uninsured Motorists coverage for BI & PD. My carrier, Travelers thought they could subrogate and I told them good luck finding him and getting anything out of him. He totalled my 9 month old Chrysler 300C with 9,000 miles on it. I really liked that car and it was garbage after that guy ran the red light from 100 yards out to hit me and spun me into a utility pole.

        • September 27, 2013 at 3:46 pm
          Libby says:
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          Are illegals allowed to get a drivers license in Texas? Without one, you can’t buy insurance.

          • September 30, 2013 at 12:49 pm
            Agent says:
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            No, in Texas you must be legal to get a license. You are wrong about getting insurance without a license. I saw a car going down the road the other day with a sign on it and said – No license, no problem. Se Habla Espanol. I don’t thing they represent a legitimate insurance company.

          • September 30, 2013 at 2:05 pm
            Libby says:
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            If it’s not legitimate, then it’s illegitimate and you affirmed by statement. Boy are you dumb!

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:25 pm
          TXmouthbreatherboogereaterTX says:
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          This sounds like a job for Captain Regulation!!!!! oh wait, it’s Texas. How PD was for your gun rack?

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:40 pm
          FFA says:
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          I don’t know what I did to piss off the IRS.
          Wife is very very sore. Sever whiplash they are calling it. My daughter – the queen of give me something for nothing – couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital before she started figuring out her “settlement”.
          The other kid had AAA – riding the parents policy. So, they should be good.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:15 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Here’s to a quick recovery for your wife, FFA. I’m sorry to hear both her and your daughter were in an accident.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:15 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            *she and your daughter

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:45 pm
            FFA says:
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            Thanks Cap… Don’t worry about the typo, I knew what you meant. I don’t have all the alphabet soup stuff at the end of my name so I can figure things out.

          • September 30, 2013 at 9:48 am
            Agent says:
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            Glad to hear the other party had insurance FFA. I hope the limits are adequate to take care of the BI & PD, furnish a rental etc.

            What happened to the Bears Sunday? Looks like Sarge’s team were ready to play and intercepted Cutler three times. Detroit appears to be much improved this year. Unfortunately, my Cowboys pulled another Forrest Gump and blew an 11 point lead against the Chargers. 8-8 is certainly intact for this year.

          • September 30, 2013 at 10:21 am
            Libby says:
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            But how ’bout those Broncos, Agent?!?

  • September 26, 2013 at 9:48 am
    Lilly says:
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    We just received our increase, small business, 6 families, in MI…21.4%…can’t raise our prices 21.4%

    • September 26, 2013 at 11:06 am
      Libby says:
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      I’ll be interested to know if you can do better on the exchange after 10/1/13.

    • September 26, 2013 at 3:51 pm
      FFA says:
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      Not bad Lilly. Here in IL, we are being told brace for 30%+… I’ll take 21.4% any day.

      Yes, Libby, waiting on 10/01/2013 as we in Il still don’t know nothing…. Guess I’ll get out of bed at 12:01am on 09/30/2013 so I can exam cram for three hours before the questions start coming in….

      • September 26, 2013 at 3:58 pm
        Libby says:
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        Nothing wrong with saying “I don’t know but I’ll get back to you.” No-one else will have any answers either.

      • September 26, 2013 at 5:26 pm
        Agent says:
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        So FFA, I assume you handle several groups like we do. I just received my email notice from Blue Cross that they will be non renewing all of them if they are non-grandfathered under 50 employee groups which ours are. They must select from a menu of plans that meet the ACA requirements. I looked at that menu on our groups and it is not a pretty site. I don’t know how we are going to match up coverage and premium to get a comparable plan the customer can live with. More headaches. I am glad I am primarily P&C. I have an agent buddy who is heavily invested in Individual & Group. He may go into cardiac arrest trying to deal with this and keep his customer base.

        • September 27, 2013 at 12:59 pm
          FFA says:
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          Well agent… I used to. Soon as premiums started spiking after the Cobra Give a way, all my small groups dropped their coverage.

          The non renewals don’t surprise me too much. As far as your buddy goes, time to ramp up staff for the re-write process… Increase of expenses but not much increase in revenues to offset it I am thinking… Its really gonna hit the Health Specialists hard.

          • September 27, 2013 at 3:44 pm
            Agent says:
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            I agree FFA. Less commission for a whole lot more work, but these are all P&C customers as well so we will do whatever it takes. Back in the day, we were known as a full service agency for Personal, Business, Life & Health and I just don’t mention Life & Health anymore because of this mess. I also don’t want the E&O exposure if I were to tell someone something wrong. It is just far too complicated and changes every week as it morphs into something else. Blue Cross tells us their rates are not approved on what they sent us and to stay tuned. I am just treading water waiting for the other shoe to drop.

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:30 pm
            FFA says:
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            The life opportunity is going to be there too. All these people losing group insurance that told me no on life because they had it through work……

            I need the additional revenue to survive the increase of health care and the tax hike. Ive already been hurt by this mess. Maybe its time to catch up????

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:56 pm
            Libby says:
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            Agent – anyone that tries to sell everything is a fool. You can’t possibly be all things to all people and do it well.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:15 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby – have to. Too many eggs in one basket is never a good thing…
            I had a whole bunch in the Med Specialty world. Lost it all because Gov Quinn did workers comp reform and chased my carrier out of the state. $500K in volume gone. $50K in commissions gone. Done. Over with….

  • September 26, 2013 at 10:38 am
    insurance102 says:
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    Bob,
    Obama did not approve the bailout. It was approved by Paulson and Bush.
    He was not even President at this time.
    Do all of us a favor, and read now and then.

    • September 27, 2013 at 3:39 pm
      bob says:
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      Insurance 102:

      I already proved you don’t read with the New York Times Article comparison. See my what, 10 links above for Libby from CBO, and quoting rate fillings for Obamacare premiums in 13 states. I read far more than you. I have quoted Kaiser, Daily KOS, Politico, New York Times, and Huffington Post against themselves. I prefer to do that rather than use Fox News. I read more of a broad spectrum than you do. I also compare against ABC, CBS, MSNBC, and I read the CRA ratings from the .gov site to see the ratings of the big companies that collapsed, and why they got the rating. You would be shocked to read how many were allowed to expand (like chase/wamu) because they had met CRA requirements to give low income loans with “little to no” loan documentation. You haven’t read these things. I am 20 times more knowledgeable than you. You have not read about Bush’s proposed retirement plans.

      Obama did in fact approve of the bailout, see the debate where Obama said that Romney would have allowed auto makers to go bankrupt.

      Obama campaigned on auto bailouts. Did you miss that?

      • September 27, 2013 at 5:54 pm
        Insurance102 says:
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        Yes, Obama did approve the bailout. Didn’t Reagan approve the bailout of Chrysler? The auto bailout was of national security at the time or Reagan and Obama.

        As for the bailout, the loan has been repaid and both companies are producing cars for people in the US and around the world.

        Yes, you quote premiums. But do you mention coverage or riders on pre-existing conditions?

        Twenty times more knowledgeable than me? That is funny….

        You should stop bending over and grabbing your ankles so much Bob. It makes you delusional!

    • September 30, 2013 at 11:09 am
      Agent says:
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      Libby, It wasn’t that hard to sell Individual & Group to supplement the P&C before the government got involved with mandating coverage, writing a 2,700 page bill with 12,000 pages of regulations. We did well with it for many years. We primarily did it for our P&C clients to keep the competition out and they trust us. Leave it to an “employee” to criticize an agent for being a full service agent.

      • September 30, 2013 at 11:33 am
        Libby says:
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        You yourself just said you only wrote it as an accomodation and to “keep competition out”. So you are not a full service agency. Keep you employee slams to yourself bossman.

        • September 30, 2013 at 12:06 pm
          Agent says:
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          As Ron always likes to say, your reading comprehension is lacking. Had you bothered to actually read what I said, I did say that it wasn’t that hard to write Individual & Group business for many years. I never said I specialized in it or preferred it over P&C. It was a nice supplement and our customers did appreciate what we did for them. We also wrote a significant amount of Life Insurance on our customers both individually and for business buy sell agreements. That is the gravy since there is only one claim and it is rewarding that we provided the service and fulfilled a need and provided security to the beneficiaries.

          • September 30, 2013 at 12:30 pm
            Libby says:
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            Unless you have a unit or department assigned to L&H solely, I stand by my assessment that you are a fool.

          • September 30, 2013 at 12:53 pm
            Agent says:
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            Libby, An agent doesn’t have to have a dedicated L&H department to provide service to clients. You are a fool to waste your employers time posting on this site. Go back to work or at least answer the phone for them.

      • September 30, 2013 at 2:03 pm
        Libby says:
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        I hope you’ve paid your E&O premium for the year, Agent. You’re obviously going to need the coverage once all the claims come in from disgruntled customers that thought they had coverage but ended up not because you’re too arrogant to admit you can’t be a specialist on all lines. It’s obvious you must do a mediocre job at best.

        • October 1, 2013 at 5:25 pm
          Agent says:
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          Actually Libby, my Groups all had excellent coverage from Blue Cross before the Government mandated that they have to change it. So much for keeping the coverage if you like it. Obama also just said that if you have coverage, you don’t need to do anything. Hello! What are all these non renewals coming in saying the customer does have to do something and convert it to an approved plan. By the way, I have never had an E&O claim with Health Insurance and don’t expect to. We will explain the options as bad as they are and let them make the choice. They may be disgruntled, but it will be at the government, not the carrier or us.

  • September 26, 2013 at 11:34 am
    Sarah says:
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    Tarp was Bush – Largely paid back.
    Stimulus was Obama, $740 Billion Gone!

    National Debt on Inauguration day 10.4 trillion
    National Debt now – $16.741 Trillion

    Hmmmm….. Numbers and facts do not lie.

    • September 26, 2013 at 11:42 am
      insurance102 says:
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      Tarp is gone under the Dodd-Frank law. It has not been paid off!

      Stimulus funding helped stem unemployment that was going nowhere but up on January 20, 2009.

      As for the National debt, look at unfunded programs like Medicare Part D that are helping it to grow out of control.

      As for numbers, here we go:

      Umemployment in January 2009: around 10%
      Unemployment now: 7.4%

      Better numbers than January 2009. If you want to live like a Republican, vote for a Democrat.

      You are educationally deficient Sarah. I guess we should put you in the same class with Agent, Bob and Sargeant Major.

      • September 27, 2013 at 3:48 pm
        bob says:
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        As for numbers here we go:

        The Labor participation rate 2009: 65.7
        The Labor participation rate Now: 63.2

        It dropped by another .2 points in August, which is why the unemployment rate fell.

        Reagan by comparison: 63.5 labor participation rate and 10.8% unemployment rate (aka worse than Obama’s start)

        Second election: 64.4 percent (up) and unemployment 7.4% (exactly the same).

        Now what does this show? Labor force is everything. When it shrinks, the unemployment rate shrinks too. The labor participation rate is not shrinking because people are dropping out of the labor force by choice. People are dropping out because they cannot find work, and then fall off of unemployment as they are no longer eligible. This directly correlates with the unemployment rate going down.

        Want to review full time jobs versus part time in this “recovery” as well?

        Ready to look like a fool Insurance 102? Or are you ready to stop?

        • September 27, 2013 at 5:43 pm
          Insurance102 says:
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          Have your homework ready Bob?

          Unemployment ticked down Bob…now at 7.3%

        • September 27, 2013 at 5:49 pm
          Insurance102 says:
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          Look at the national debt before and after Reagan. The only difference was that Reagan’s stimulus was through a massive increase in defense versus infrastructure or other programs.

          Eight years of Clinton balanced the deficit, and the country was in the black financially. Eight years of Bush…two unfunded wars, a health care expansion that was ineffective, tax cuts that blew up the deficit, and it goes on and on…

          If you want to look at a fool, look at the mirror. You are the only fool I see.

  • September 26, 2013 at 11:38 am
    Sarah says:
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    The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is a program of the United States government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions to strengthen its financial sector that was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008. It was a component of the government’s measures in 2008 to address the subprime mortgage crisis.
    The TARP program originally authorized expenditures of $700 billion. The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act reduced the amount authorized to $475 billion. By October 11, 2012, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated that total disbursements would be $431 billion and estimated the total cost, including grants for mortgage programs that have not yet been made, would be $24 billion.[1] This is significantly less than the taxpayers’ cost of the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s but does not include the cost of other “bailout” programs (such as the Federal Reserve’s Maiden Lane Transactions and the Federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). The cost of the former crisis amounted to 3.2 percent of GDP during the Reagan/Bush era, while the GDP percentage of the latter crisis’ cost is estimated at less than 1 percent.[2] While it was once feared the government would be holding companies like GM, AIG and Citigroup for several years, it was reported in April 2010 that those companies are preparing to buy back the Treasury’s stake and emerge from TARP within a year.[2] Of the $245 billion handed to U.S. and foreign banks, over $169 billion has been paid back, including $13.7 billion in dividends, interest and other income, along with $4 billion in warrant proceeds as of April 2010. AIG is considered “on track” to pay back $51 billion from divestitures of two units and another $32 billion in securities.[2] As of December 31, 2012, the Treasury had received over $405 billion in total cash back on TARP investments, equaling nearly a non-inflation-adjusted 97 percent of the $418 billion disbursed under the program.

  • September 26, 2013 at 11:40 am
    Sarah says:
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    Obama’s Stimulus – he American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (Pub.L. 111–5), commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, was an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.
    To respond to the Great Recession, the primary objective for ARRA was to save and create jobs almost immediately. Secondary objectives were to provide temporary relief programs for those most impacted by the recession and invest in infrastructure, education, health, and renewable energy. The approximate cost of the economic stimulus package was estimated to be $787 billion at the time of passage, later revised to $831 billion between 2009 and 2019.[1]

    • September 26, 2013 at 5:34 pm
      Agent says:
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      Sarah, Are you talking about the Stimulus that wasn’t a Stimulus? Even the President admitted there were no “shovel ready” jobs to fix the infrastructure he promised. Where did all that $831 Billion go? Were there jobs created other than making payroll for cities, counties, states that supported him? They blew through that and are still bankrupt in many cities with Detroit the big player and several in California that also got big money.

      By the way, on my local news last night,in a neighboring city of $100,000, the City Council announced they would be raising Property Taxes 6.7% on all property owners. The reason given was Healthcare Costs from Obamacare. Another example of the law of unintended consequences. I expect the County will be next. So far, my city is mum, but they are considering what to do.

      • September 26, 2013 at 7:15 pm
        insurance102 says:
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        Read factcheck.org. It is non-partisan.

        It is time for you and Sargent Major to relax. I heard he has some nice teabags for you, and you can toss the nice salad that he brought over for you to enjoy.

        Cheers!

        Don’t bend over and grab your ankles so much agent! It isn’t healthy for you!

  • September 26, 2013 at 12:17 pm
    Libby says:
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    Sarah – what is your point?

  • September 26, 2013 at 12:29 pm
    Insurance102 says:
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    Regarding the stimulus, you are wrong Sarah. It aid with jobs during the session. Please check factcheck.org.

    How is the studying going with Agent, Sargent Major and Bob?

    http://www.factcheck.org/2010/09/did-the-stimulus-create-jobs/

    I used factcheck as an unbiased source of information during the 2012 election. Facts speak for themselves Sarah.

    • September 27, 2013 at 4:43 pm
      bob says:
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      Insurance 102: I noticed like your party likes to do, you lump me into with another group to attack credibility (or perhaps to attack mine, if I’m like Sarah I must not have facts right?)

      It’s pretty typical of your party, the party of racism and slavery to divide the population (segregation as well.)

      Factcheck is someone else drawing a conclusion with a multitude of other facts. They can be cherry picked. When not provide a conclusion, and then defend it with your own research.

      A fact check of whether or not the stimulus worked, is quite bluntly insane. There are many studies done on either side showing it did and showing it didn’t.

      Make a thesis, provide evidence, make a conclusion, provide the methodology and numbers (like I do)

      It’s funny how for a democrat who says us republicans are brain dead and listen to Rush, you keep quoting other people’s conclusions on the health care law and the stimulus, and haven’t worked out numbers yourself (other than one, regarding the unemployment rate, and you DISREGARDED full time employment numbers, as well as the labor participation rate. How much more stupid can you get?).

      • September 27, 2013 at 6:35 pm
        Insurance102 says:
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        Bob,
        It is time to get off your knees, wipe your mouth and start thinking for yourself.
        FactCheck.Org was started as a non-partisan website by a former Wall Street Journal report. The Wall Street Journal is hardly a part of the Democratic political machine.
        As for telling the truth, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, PBS, etc used this as the main source to determine the veracity of client’s statements or ads.
        It goes both ways Bob. FactCheck.org called Obama on the carpet for making claims about Mitt Romney and how he outsourced jobs.
        As for the stimulus, there are the usual Democratic economists who supported it. There is one key Republican economist who supported it as well-Martin Feldstein.

        Feldstein was a chief economic advisor to Bush II and the Romney campaign.

      • September 30, 2013 at 7:32 pm
        Insurance 102 says:
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        Feldstein was a chief economic advisor to Reagan and Bush. I hardly think that makes him a Republican become Democrat…especially when he advised Romney in the 2012 election.

        Read up Bobby.

    • September 27, 2013 at 4:44 pm
      bob says:
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      That should say “why” not, this phone sucks.

  • September 26, 2013 at 1:32 pm
    Questionning says:
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    OMG!!! When do any of you people get any work done???

    • September 26, 2013 at 1:43 pm
      FFA says:
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      Good point ????????

    • September 26, 2013 at 2:13 pm
      Libby says:
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      It’s called multi-tasking. You must be a guy since you’ve never heard of it.

      • September 26, 2013 at 5:45 pm
        Sargeant Major says:
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        She supposedly is a broker, but how she stays on this blog arguing with everyone but the left wing cook fringe and calls on customers is a mystery unless she isn’t telling the truth and spends her time answering the office phone for a broker.

      • September 27, 2013 at 4:44 pm
        bob says:
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        Normally I would chastise you for this one…

        BUT…

        It’s too funny and good of an insult.

  • September 26, 2013 at 2:06 pm
    wvagt says:
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    All of the rhetoric about premiums being lower than projected (but still higher that pre-ACA)is just a smoke screen from Obama etal. They don’t want potential buyers to see the full picture and realize that their bottom-line healthcare costs will be drastically increased due to higher deductibles and copays.

    • September 26, 2013 at 2:26 pm
      Agent says:
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      I agree wvagt. The deductibles and out of pocket expenses are massive. Tie that together with much higher premiums for millions of Americans and that is a sure fire recipe for what Max Baucus said was a trainwreck. Who would want to move their current coverage with smaller deductibles, less out of pocket for a higher premium? As I see it, the typical Obamacare Plan is nothing more than catastrophic protection and a family will still be bankrupted on what is coming out of their pocket when a serious claim happens.

  • September 26, 2013 at 4:35 pm
    insurance102 says:
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    Agent,
    Have you had a major or minor medical condition? If you are thirty years or older, odds are you have. If you switch carriers, your new carrier can deny that under a pre-existing condition (even if they occurred 20+ years ago). For those fortunate to have a rider to have the condition covered, the cost will be $2,000 a month. That is nothing compared to the average $774 the average person will pay with coverage for pre-existing conditions. I think the average American would gladly take the latter to have a policy that will cover their medical conditions versus a slightly lower premium that is not worth the paper it is printed on.
    Here is some information for you to think about:
    a) The problem with the system now lies in waste. Doctors are more likely to treat a patient rather than diagnose and treat first.
    For example, a primary care doctor has little or no incentive to treat a patient with a heart problem. They are more likely to refer them to a cardiologist whose tests would be more expensive than simply looking at a change of diet and/or medication and monitoring.
    Managed care changed this (greater emphasis on utilization review), and the ACA builds upon that. Doctors are rewarded for the quality of care they give and simply NOT on the procedures or referrals that they make. Kaiser Permanente has always advocated this philosophy. That is why their administrative costs and waste are so much lower compared to other health plans. Doctors who have left Kaiser for other medical groups always discuss the higher cost and inefficiencies of their current medical group versus Kaiser.
    b) There is some point to your out of pocket costs. I think that patients would gladly take a higher deductlble instead of the yearly and/or lifetime limits that were placed on them by their insurance carrier. My wife just had a baby, and our plan had a $2,500 deductible before our insurance company participated. With all the hospital expenses, our bill was over $60,000. We paid the $2,500 out of pocket and were glad to have insurance coverage pick up the remainder. I think people would gladly like to have this catastophic protection and ration the care that they may not need. The $2,500 serves as a way of a patient “sharing” in their health care costs and some of the burden. In that way, everyone with the common cold does not show up at the ER.
    c) Mandatory insurance changes the inevitable cost shifting. The individual who shows up in the hospital (whether in New York where I live) or any other state without insurance gets treated. Their costs are shifted to another individual’s carrier to make up for this lost revenue. The insurance mandate reduces the free rider problem. Why did the Republicans embrace this witht the Contract with America and run away from it when a liberal Democrat proposed the idea?
    d) Why are people opposed to a model put forth by the Department of Veteran Affairs? Veteran affairs reports have shown more of an inclination towards quality of care and using the agency’s power to reduce costs (i.e. prescription medication). The result is that the average person treated in the VA system receives better medical care at a cheaper rate than the average person being treated under an alternative health care plan.

    I hope you take some time to think for yourself Agent. That is the beauty of a quality education. You might remember me as the guy who graduated from Wharton in 1998 with a degree in Insurance and Risk Management. I am currently a large account referral underwriter for a large carrier based in New York City.
    I can think for myself versus copying and pasting what another person/entity says. How is the review of 1st grade economics and geography going? Your knowledge of international affairs is poor.. at best!! Don’t worry…you have Sargent Major, Bob and Sarah to help you!!

    Got to run as I have to catch the 4 train out of Midtown!

    And Agent, under Obamacare…Rush Limbaugh might also get treatment for his substance abuse problem!! Don’t you think it is time he seekd treatment for his addiction?

    • September 26, 2013 at 5:45 pm
      Agent says:
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      So 102, since you have to take the train, you might recognize the train wreck when it happens in the next few months. You rant about Rush and you are in need of psychiatric counseling for your problem. Is that covered under Obamacare? Maybe someone can give you a frontal lobotomy for your problem and you can just stare at the wall instead of post rants. I appreciate Sargeant, Bob, Sarah, FFA, but I don’t need them to speak for me and I don’t need a trumped up website to convince me this bill is a POS. By the way, your President proudly proclaimed on the campaign trail again today that there is no evidence Obamacare hurts jobs. What a crock! The liar in chief at his best. He also said a few days ago that raising the debt limit does not increase the debt. That is hardly Econ 101, don’t you agree?

      • September 26, 2013 at 5:57 pm
        insurance102 says:
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        Agent,
        With a crying seven month old, you amuse me. As for economic data, refer to my comment to Sarah.

        When obama took office, the unemployment rate was over 10%. It is now 7.4%. Is that simple enough for you? If you look at many of the titans of American business–Brinn, Buffett, Gates, Mayer, etc., they are strong proponents of the President’s economic beliefs. All of them contribute much more to the economy than both of us combined.

        As for liar in chief, what about GWB? I am still waiting for the WMD to appear!! How is the assignment going? Are you Sargeant Major, Sarah and Bob playing nice?

        • September 26, 2013 at 6:11 pm
          Agent says:
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          102, several million have used up their 99 weeks and now dropped out of the workforce and promptly ran to Social Security disability. The true unemployment rate is closer to 15% than 7.4. Oh, I forgot, you are an Obama minion and denier of reality.

          • September 26, 2013 at 6:27 pm
            insurance102 says:
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            I don’t know. I trust Ben Bernake, and his definition of unemployment (which he has reiterated over and over again) over what Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh feed to you.

            Let’s see…Bernanke graduated top of his class at Princeton and with a PhD in economics from MIT (writing his thesis on the Great Depression and measures that would have ameliorated it) vs. Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh (both men without college degrees). Really, hard choice isn’t it?
            Also, if you look at the former, he is a true moron and does not know what he is talking about…especially about foreign trained doctors who work in the US.

            I am waiting for the Niners-Rams game to come on, but keep up your moronic postings Agent. You amuse me.

            As for an Obama voter, yes. There are quite a larger number of us. Electoral vote count from 2012: Obama-Biden 332 vs. Romney-Ryan 206.

            Somebody got trounced!!

  • September 26, 2013 at 5:43 pm
    Sargeant Major says:
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    Libby said “Hey, Sarge. You’re the one that asked about black KKK members.

    Really, LOL I never said or asked anything like that. You interjected the KKK on your own and went surfing the KKK. That wasn’t even a good try- LOL Yes, you are what you are and if the KKK suits you fine surf the site all you want, just don’t try to hide it or put it on someone else. Stand up and say I am a liberal member of the clan

    • September 26, 2013 at 5:48 pm
      Agent says:
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      Sargeant, I think Libby was a fan of Robert Byrd (D-WV) who proudly rode the ponies wearing a hood & sheet seeking mischief as a young man and only apologized when he knew he was dying. I think he probably still had that sheet and hood in his closet though.

      • September 26, 2013 at 6:25 pm
        Sargeant Major says:
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        Agent, Good to see your arguing with Libby as much as anyone? No, really sorry to hear that. She just might have a picture of old Robert on her wall. He not only road around with a sheet on his head he was a left wing, give everything away kinda guy. Just her type.

        She is what she is and it appears telling the truth is not her strong suit. Everything she blames on others she commits and then blames it on someone else to make them look bad and take the issue off her. She is the first to jump on something to argue, cuss someone for a different opinion and otherwise be a jerk. Then she complains that people are mean to her and berate her. Maybe, just maybe that would not happen if she acted a little different.

        Hey, I am going back to Dallas again to finalize an account. I am trying to set up a dinner in the downtown area. Have you ever heard anything about or eaten at a restaurant called- Al Birnat’s? It is supposed to be a 4 to 5 start steak and seafood restaurant?

        • September 27, 2013 at 8:47 am
          Libby says:
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          Sarge – there you go treating history like a baby treats their diaper. Crapping all over it.

          You most certainly did make the statement “I don’t know too many black KKK members”. To which I responded there were over 20,000 of them and posted the link to cite my source.

          Say what you want, little man. I know the truth. LOL!

        • September 27, 2013 at 3:12 pm
          Agent says:
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          Sargeant, regarding the restaurant you mentioned in Dallas, I am not from there, but my son in law is. He gave me their website address. It is http://www.albiernats.com. I pulled it up and looked at the menu. Pretty ritzy. I hope your expense account has enough to cover the check or a company is picking up the tab. Libby is going to be calling you a filthy Capitalist pig. I hope you enjoy it. Looks really good.

          • September 27, 2013 at 3:37 pm
            Libby says:
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            Of course you would only go there if someone else is paying. And you say Democrats are the ones with their hands out. LOL!!!

        • October 10, 2013 at 5:48 pm
          Agent says:
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          Hey Sargeant, How did your trip go? Did you enjoy Al Biernats? It looked really good from what I could tell by their site.

          By the way, I just saw a breaking news that your wonderful former mayor of Detroit, the esteemed Kwame Kilpatrick got sentenced to 28 years for corruption. I wonder if that means about 5-10 with good behavior. He was the epitome of corruption and bad Progressive Democratic rule. I understand that their buddy Obama found a couple hundred million in his stash to send to them. That ought to last about a month if the City Council gets their hands on it. Perhaps the bankruptcy court will see that the funds are used properly.

      • September 26, 2013 at 6:55 pm
        insurance102 says:
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        My mistake…Bernake graduated from Harvard and taught at Princeton.

        • September 29, 2013 at 6:11 pm
          Perplexed says:
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          insurance 102…So graduating from Harvard and teaching at Princeton is reason for us to believe or listen to Bernanke?? Surely you jest. Either accomplishment is nothing to boast about.

  • September 26, 2013 at 6:08 pm
    Sargeant Major says:
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    jw said “The difference, Sergeant Major, is that those people you listed have not been suggested by anyone as a presidential candidate.”

    I have to disagree. Anthony “The Peter Tweeter” was one of the lefts rising stars as a (D) from New York. He was always shooting his mouth off on liberal causes and some thought he might be a potential candidate. Additionally, You don’t think that there were people who thought Jesse Jackson Jr. wasn’t being groomed for higher office. Or Elliott Spitzer who as Governor of New York was not working wit Democrat handlers on higher office?

    • September 26, 2013 at 6:14 pm
      Agent says:
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      Sargeant, as I recall, Spitzer also lost his political comeback attempt. I guess he didn’t wait long enough to jump back in the ring. If he is still alive, perhaps 2020 might be a good time to try it again assuming we still have a country then. In the meantime, he can apply to the EPA or HHS for a job and probably get it.

    • September 27, 2013 at 10:29 am
      Agent says:
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      Hey, Sargeant. I think 102 was Wieners campaign manager the way he talks. A typical rude New Yorker know it all who is possibly more radical than Libby. In fact, she looks mild by comparison. He actually admires Bernanke who has been printing money 24/7 for at least a couple of years devaluing our dollar, buying government bonds and monitizing our debt. It is truly a house of cards sure to fall in the near future. I don’t really think it is a badge of honor to say one graduated from Harvard since people from Harvard who are in charge are ruining this country.

      • September 27, 2013 at 11:05 am
        Libby says:
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        You’re hilarious, Agent. Graduating from Harvard is no badge of honor? Where’d you get your so-called “degree”? Redneck U? Shitkicker College? LOL!!

        You need to get your money back.

        • September 27, 2013 at 11:19 am
          Captain Planet says:
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          I’m guessing Glenn Beck U.

    • September 27, 2013 at 1:51 pm
      jw says:
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      Must not have been seriously considered if it never made the “lame stream” media I occasionally read. I didn’t see any of those names as potential president candidates.

    • September 30, 2013 at 10:07 am
      Agent says:
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      Congrats to your Lions Sargeant. They look like the real deal this year. Detroit’s fortunes seem to be rising now that Obama has found a couple hundred million to give them to keep essential services going from bankruptcy.

  • September 26, 2013 at 6:38 pm
    Sargeant Major says:
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    Agent, Yep he is alive. He ran for controller of New York City. Considering he was, at one time, NY attorney General and the Governor that seems to be a bit of a demotion.
    He was also seen on Current TV as a talk host. Current was bought by Al Jazeera, you know the same Al Jazeera that televised terrorist propaganda across the middle east. Also, the same Current that was owned by Al Gore who walked away with $100 million dollars (from a terrorist affiliated organization)and then tried to shelter it so he did not have to pay taxes?
    I don’t understand how the Democrats can force tax increases on everyone including the middle class and have so many tax cheats?

    BTW with the sale of Current the hypocrite Gore now has a net worth more than Romney.

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/01/04/richer-than-romney-al-gore-scores-on-sale-of-current-tv/

    • September 26, 2013 at 6:53 pm
      insurance102 says:
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      You do not know what you are taking about Sargaent Major.

      Al Jazeera is owned by the government of Qatar. It is a stong friend of America, and we have a strong military presence.

      You know next to nothing about what is happening in this world. Read a magazine like The Economist. When you sound off, you embarass Americans in this country and abroad.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:16 am
      Libby says:
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      Yes, Sarge. The same Al Jezeera that was praised by the Index on Censorship for circumventing censorship and contributing to the free exchange of information in the Arab world, and by the Webby Awards, who nominated it as one of the five best news web sites, along with BBC News, National Geographic and The Smoking Gun. It was also voted by Brandchannel readers as the fifth most influential global brand behind Apple, Google, Ikea and Starbucks.

      Yeah, that Al Jazeera. LOL!

  • September 26, 2013 at 7:03 pm
    Questionning says:
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    Ouch Libby!! I am on your side. Don’t let these guys beat up on you so much that you find yourself reacting to every comment.

    BTW, I am a multi tasking female surplus lines underwriter with many different hats but my blood runs blue and ultra liberal. (I can see the red thumbs down numbers rising)

    I am just impressed by the length of the commentary, the research, the many links, etc. Keep the peace comrade.

    • September 27, 2013 at 9:01 am
      Libby says:
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      Thanks, Questionning. I do allow them to get me riled up. Maybe I should be flattered they care so much about what I think!

    • September 27, 2013 at 9:32 am
      Libby says:
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      Sorry to have barked at you…

      • September 27, 2013 at 2:25 pm
        FFA says:
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        WOOFFF!

    • September 27, 2013 at 10:23 am
      Agent says:
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      Not hard to see where you are coming from Questionning. Comrade? That is an old term that Communists used with their friends.

      • September 27, 2013 at 10:40 am
        Insurance102 says:
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        Hey Agent, did Sargent Major like the salad you tossed for him last night? I am sure the favor was returned when he gave you some nice dry teabags.

        Anyway, Bernake has been quite good for the country. Anyone with a 401K would agree. The Fed Chair is the 2nd most important person in Washington. Since he has been selected Chair, he has helped ward off a 2nd Great Depression by enacting emergency measures (Hank Paulson credited him with this), and the S&P has gone up 43% since he became Chair.

        I say that is a pretty good run. Time to read up Agent. I might be a rude New Yorker, but you are a xenophobe who fits better in 1930-40 Germany versus 21st century America.

        How is the first grade geography and economic review going?

  • September 27, 2013 at 10:41 am
    Rick says:
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    Wait what?? This cant be true because all the Tea Baggers in Congress and on Faux News are talking about how it will be more expensive and there will be a single player system.
    Also whats up with the increase in health care costs again the Tea Baggers and Faux said we would have sky rocketing costs. But I just read health care costs this year where at a 50 year low.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:52 am
      Agent says:
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      Rick, you are just as goofy as 102. Single Player System???? You seem to be mixing up a sports term with health insurance. Keep on drinking that Kool Aid kid and believing all the lies bieng put out about the wonderful Unaffordable Care Act.

      • September 27, 2013 at 1:47 pm
        Libby says:
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        Like you believe all the lies coming from FoxNews and your hero, Rush Limbaugh.

  • September 27, 2013 at 10:43 am
    Insurance102 says:
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    Agent,
    Do you know when our dollar is devalued we can sell more goods in international markets? Why do you think Japan, South Korea and other countries have been devaluing their countries and/or buying dollars? It is to prop up the export-based economy.
    You really are moronic Agent. You should have got your money back from whatever crackpot taught you macroeconomics.

    • September 27, 2013 at 11:58 am
      Agent says:
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      102, if devaluing our dollar is such a good thing, how come our balance of payments has been out of control for many years? Do you think $17 Trillion in debt is a good thing? Do you think credit downgrades are a good thing which causes higher interest rates on the debt are a good thing? Are you a member of the Karl Marx school of Economics? Have you ever read Milton Friedman or did you just absorb John Maynard Keynes totally and make it no further. How many Economic advisors has Obama had in the past 5 years? I lost count since we have a revolving door at the White House. I think the present one is from Princeton (another liberal basion). He was the one who designed the Cash for Clunkers program that cost the taxpayers dearly. None of their theories work so that is why they resign and go back to their liberal think tanks after a year or so.

      • September 27, 2013 at 12:47 pm
        Insurance 102 says:
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        Agent,
        You really are funny. I think you should talk to your college and get your tuition back. Obviously, it didn’t make you more intelligent!

        Here is food for thought:

        1) When a country devalues their currency, goods from those countries become less expensive overseas. In essence, it enhances your market size. The US had a balance of payments surplus (exports >imports) for a fairly long time since Bernanke has been Fed Chair. For countries that are heavily dependent on exports (Japan, South Korea) it is a heavy detriment to them. That is why you see heavy buying of US dollars when their markets are trading. By buying US dollars, it makes our currency less valuable and our goods less competitive overseas. Since Abe has become Prime Minister, his appointed head of the Bank of Japan that has aggressively followed this devaluation policy. Hence, we have seen a balance of payments shift (exports<imports) as Japanese goods are more competitively priced around the world. That has lead a response back from the United States to Japan about advocating an economic approach that does more than simply calling for the devaluing your currency. Currency devaluation was taught during my first semester at Wharton Agent. I thought you might have grasped this concept if you have taken a basic course on macroeconomics or international finance. But apparently you haven’t.
        2) As for a $17 trillion debt, a large part of it is caused by two unfunded wars and expansion of government programs under the previous administration (Medicare Part D) that was not effective. Why don’t you think there weren’t more seniors that signed up for this program? I think the country has spoken twice about the need for a balanced approach. 332-206 was the electoral count of last election. That is quite a large margin…with no hanging chads!! Don’t you think this gives Obama a mandate to govern versus the tea party to hold this country hostage? If you looked at the deficit commission, they advocated a program that was similar to what the President was proposing (entitlement reform with slight tax increases). But it never got out of the House. Alan Simpson even said that his own party was out of kilter by not accepting these reforms.
        3) As for the President’s economic advisors, they leave partly due to the terms of tenure they have with their academic institution. Under their terms of employment, they can only take a leave of absence for a certain amount of time (as specified in their contract), before they lose employment. That is why Larry Summers went back to Harvard, and that is why Austan Goolsbee went back to the University Of Chicago School Of Business. While you advocate such universities as Princeton and Harvard as liberal bastions, the University of Chicago is an advocate of free market economics. Their faculty includes the likes of Gary Becker, Eugene Fama, etc. I think the economics department and the business school of the University of Chicago must think he is a pretty smart guy if a liberal like him was given tenure at such a conservative institution.
        I thought you would be less angry after enjoying tossing Sargent Major’s salad last night. Hopefully, the dry tea bags he gives you will make you feel better. I have better things to do than educate someone as intellectually deficient as you. Your educational shortcomings are seen in the comments that you have posted all over the Insurance Journal.

        Cheers!

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:06 pm
          Agent says:
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          102, I can honestly say you are the most insulting, rude Progressive poster I have run across in all the time IJ has been running articles. That is not a title to be proud of by the way. Anyone who disagrees with your position is immediately attacked and told they were stupid. By the way, doesn’t the unrepentant Terrorist Ayers teach at the University of Chicago, you know the one who is Obama’s buddy.

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:45 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            The University of Chicago was only mentioned because you stated Milton Friedman. Many of his proponents also teach there….

            I feel anti-Muslim or anti-Semitic remark coming in 3…2…1..

            Good luck in completing your remedial assignment Agent!

            As an underwriter, I would never write your E&O cover. Your educational shortcomings have clearly demonstrated this….

            Hope you and Sarge enjoy a romantic dinner at the steakhouse in Dallas.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:00 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            I have probably worked in in the industry for a shorter period than you. But my education, significant number of designations from the Institutes and experience handling large surplus lines and national casualty accounts as a staff, senior and now as a referral underwriter make me far more knowledgeable about the property and casualty insurance world than you.

            That is not fiction, but it is a fact.
            Take our names off the resumes and simply list education and experience. Give these resumes to 100 recruiters or HR people in the insurance industry. I will bet at least 90 will say that I am the superior candidate.
            If you went to a library and opened a book now and then and studied, maybe things would be different. But then you wouldn’t like anything you read, and you would try and burn the place down.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:09 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            It takes two hands to clap. I only replied because I was attacked.

            Don’t blame me because you cannot think, are educationally challenged and cannot refute any of my points…

            Have a good weekend agent!! Cheers!!

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:14 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            Agent,
            This again proves your educational shortcomings. Ayers taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Goolsbee teaches at the University of Chicago. These are two separate institutions of higher learning.
            I am happy to point this out to you so you don’t make a fool of yourself again.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:21 pm
            Agent says:
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            102, You are the titleholder for worst poster ever on the IJ. I can take a lot of BS from Libby, Planet, Ron and a few others, but you are just a POS and not one I will reply to in the future. By the way, I write mostly clean Standard Lines business, but if I had and E&S account to write, I would avoid your market like the plague. My guess is you are an AIG excess underwriter.

          • September 27, 2013 at 5:26 pm
            FFA says:
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            Anyone who don’t consider themselves to American first and formost just need to get the heck out of this great country.

          • September 30, 2013 at 2:19 pm
            Libby says:
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            If he’d have said he was American Indian you would have thought he was Cherokee or some other tribe. He said Indian American so you would know he was from Indian heritage, but still an American.

          • September 30, 2013 at 5:35 pm
            FFA says:
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            Well Libby, you may have a point there. But why bother bring up race / religion at all? on this one. The B/C debate – different story as that is religion based…
            Premium debate – nothing to do with race or religion.

  • September 27, 2013 at 11:03 am
    Insurance102 says:
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    oops should be currencies and not countries…

  • September 27, 2013 at 1:13 pm
    FFA says:
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    102, if you drop your personal slams, your posts might actually meant something. Other wise, I may as well go tell the teacher…

    • September 27, 2013 at 1:53 pm
      Libby says:
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      That goes for the majority on this blog, including me, FFA. No need to single anyone out.

    • September 27, 2013 at 2:00 pm
      jw says:
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      Now, you can’t say Agent or bob are personal insult free either. Too many cross that line and I’ve just about quit reading their posts. I’m referring to both sides of the argument, not just the ultra conservatives.

      Too bad IJ editors feel the need to submit a story a day on the ACA/Obamacare subject. I am so glad I am not in healthcare or health insurance any longer.

      • September 27, 2013 at 2:22 pm
        FFA says:
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        YEP!!! When post have personal slams in them, I tend to skip right over them
        A lot of people post very good / use full information in here. The mix of opposing view points are also useful – someone needs to play devils advocate. Getting good practice for the presentations I will be hosting on group basis.
        Activity on my WEb site has already jumped and I have hardly sent anything out. Getting calls. Have people in a holding pattern. Actually have two appointments set up for enrolment on 10/02/2013. People that need Health insurance and will not qualify for any subsidy.

        So, if your an agent that hates this thing, make a wise decision on what your doing here. BCBS has stated on average $1200 @ year in commissions per policy….. Do the math.

        • September 27, 2013 at 4:08 pm
          Agent says:
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          Be sure to increase your E&O limits FFA. This is going to be a bear (no pun intended).

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:21 pm
            FFA says:
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            Already have it at $5M. This is going to be a total PIA… It already has been. Talk about an argument going on in my own head….. I’m gonna need a good drunk soon….

  • September 27, 2013 at 2:39 pm
    FFA says:
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    At 01:37pm Central, I just checked my traffic stats on my web site, there are 13 people in my web site viewing the Obama Care page….

    • September 27, 2013 at 2:51 pm
      Libby says:
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      FFA – Congrats! I knew this could be an awesome opportunity for agents that did their homework and got ahead of the curve. Kudos to you for doing it!

      • September 27, 2013 at 2:58 pm
        FFA says:
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        I saw something in the training that defined a new term MAGI – Modified Adjusted Gross Income. I read through it and I am not making sense of it…
        I cant seem to figure out what is new to the AGI formula.

        • September 27, 2013 at 3:35 pm
          Libby says:
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          Here’s the official spiel from http://www.healthcare.gov: “Modified adjusted gross income is generally your household’s adjusted gross income plus any tax-exempt Social Security, interest, and foreign income you have. It’s used to determine your eligibility for lower costs on Marketplace coverage, and for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).”

          http://tbo.com/list/healthcare/qa/what-does-modified-adjusted-gross-income-have-to-do-with-my-health-insurance-20130920/

          • September 27, 2013 at 4:24 pm
            FFA says:
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            Thanks….

          • September 30, 2013 at 10:40 am
            FFA says:
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            Well, I put my banner up on Sat Morning advertising the ACA.
            Worst week end traffic on the web in three months….
            Have a friend in the biz that told me one of his clients went on line direct to the carrier and got bombarded with 100 calls from agents… On Sunday…
            If they are going on line, make sure they are going through YOUR web site with YOUR NPN. Otherwise, they are fair game. First Bird to the work thing…

  • September 27, 2013 at 3:07 pm
    FFA says:
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    Well Sarge, going to the game this week end??? Gonna be
    interesting to see how your “dirty guy” goes after our two rookies…
    Welcome to the NFL boys!!! Time to grow up.

    • September 27, 2013 at 4:47 pm
      Insurance102 says:
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      Agent will be tossing Sargent Major’s salad while Sargent Major will be providing dry teabags.

      I think these two have a hot weekend together that involves other things than football….

    • September 27, 2013 at 4:51 pm
      Agent says:
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      There should be some good games this weekend Sarge & FFA. I like college better than the “Not for Long” league. Oklahoma & Notre Dame in South Bend should be a barn burner.

      • September 27, 2013 at 5:22 pm
        FFA says:
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        I am looking forward to the Central Show Down. Toss out the record books. These two teams just don’t like each other.

        • September 30, 2013 at 10:03 am
          Agent says:
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          Well, Sarge’s team apparently had the edge in this one. Of course, when they intercept three times and cause a fumble returned for a touchdown, that will generally get the job done. That lineman Suh for Detroit is a real man in the middle of the defensive line. I think they are for real this year.

          • September 30, 2013 at 10:37 am
            FFA says:
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            Good Ole Central Ass Kickin!!!
            They beat up in the bears pretty bad…..

          • September 30, 2013 at 11:12 am
            Agent says:
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            FFA, I know you are from the area and like Notre Dame, but they got their butt kicked Saturday by a good Oklahoma team. Notre Dame had the power and Oklahoma had the speed and speed kills almost every time.

          • September 30, 2013 at 12:18 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            One win does not make a season.

            The team will get thumped by Denver (the red state that is now trending blue), New England (Massachusetts-enough said. Does a state get any more blue?), San Francisco (rock solid state for the Democrats since 1992) and Seattle (rock solid Democratic state and home of the best coffee in the US).

            Detroit is a playoff team, but San Francisco and Seattle (among others) will thump them in the playoffs.

            By the way agent, I am not the poster boy liberal that you make me out to be. I am a centrist Democrat that is much more supportive of Bill Clinton or Mark Warner than Howard Dean or Charlie Rangel.

            Since you, Sargent and others mention Mr Weiner, he was not the progresive in the NYC mayor’s race. As a rude New Yorker (your words not mine), let me point out that DiBlasio was the progressive in this race. And, he did NOT get my vote! If you would have picked up a paper now and then, you would have known this.

            It is too bad the Republicans will run Chris Christie out of the GOP primaries. He is a decent governor, and he would have been a formidable candidate. But I think he will be the Jon Huntsmann of 2016. He will be too liberal for his party to elect. By the way the GOP is trending, I think Rand “Aqua Buddha” Paul will be centrist in the Republican primaries.

            Have fun being out power for another four years!

          • September 30, 2013 at 12:35 pm
            Insurance102 says:
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            One win does not make a season.

            Detroit will still get thumped in the NFC playoffs by either San Francisco or Seattle (solid Democratic states) and probably by New Orleans as well. In the AFC, New England (do you get any more of a Democratic state than Massachusetts?) and Denver (a former red state that is now trending blue) will both beat them.

            As for me, when I make a comment you throw me out as a socialist. I am a Democrat, but I am a centrist Democrat more in the mold of Bill Clinton or Mark Warner than Charlie Rangel or Howard Dean. Moreover, when you make comments about Anthony Weiner being exceptionally liberal, you do not know what you are talking about. DiBlasio was the progressive in the race. If you read a paper now and then, you would have known this. Weiner’s voting record was liberal, but he was not on the liberal in this race.

            As for the national debt, countries deficits typcially increase during times of recession. I believe we can say the last four plus years have not been the best for everyone in the US or around the world. But the national debt has ballooned over….two unfunded wars, tax cuts (with no cuts in spending), and a large Medicare expansion for prescription drug benefits(signed by a Republican president) among others.
            As for Obamacare, the law was passed by Congress, signed into law and upheld by the Supreme Court. The liberal justice John Roberts wrote the opinion upholding that this law is consitutitional.
            Since the American people have elected Obama twice and heard his agenda (and preferred it to his opponents), I think it is time that the tea baggers in the House and the likes of Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, etc stop holding this country hostage.
            The Republican party is so far to the right they will run a formidable candidate like Chris Christie out of the primary. He will be the Jon Huntsmann of 2016. With the likes of Ted Cruz and Scott Walker pondering presidential bids, Rand Paul might be the centrist GOP candidate!

      • September 30, 2013 at 1:52 pm
        FFA says:
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        Dare I say that Peyton Manning just me the best ever… Taking into account, Joe Montana / Steve Young / Bobby Douglas, he just makes it look so easy.

        And agent, I don’t think you got much to worry about in the NFC East. The rest of the pack looks like crap…

        • September 30, 2013 at 2:22 pm
          Libby says:
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          Yes. I dare you!

          • September 30, 2013 at 4:17 pm
            FFA says:
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            Nice to see Elway check his own ego and let someone better the he come in and rewrite all his records.
            Seems the Broncos are clicking on all cylinders.
            I heard the upcoming Sunday Night schedule includes an Indy v Broncos match up.
            Rising Star vs shining star! Then Manning V Brady coming up too…
            Cant wait for Pittsburg vs Cleveland!!! (JK).

          • October 1, 2013 at 11:50 am
            FFA says:
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            Well Libby, gonna stick my neck on the line and say Brees is a better QB. After last night, WOW.
            He did win me my Fantasy game by a land slide!!! was down 12 going in and the first drive of the game wiped that one out..

          • October 1, 2013 at 12:20 pm
            Libby says:
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            Missed last night’s game. I still gotta stick with my Broncs!

        • September 30, 2013 at 4:17 pm
          Agent says:
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          I agree FFA. Kansas City has been feasting on the NFC East. Andy Reid may be the best coach in the NFL currently taking a 2-14 team and turning it completely around. 8-8 may be a good record in the NFC East. The Giants are just awful. I guess that goes to show that you can go from 1st to worst in a hurry and also go from worst to first just as fast. Injuries and bad drafting or signing of players plays a big part. 102 has nothing to brag about with the Giants and Jets who are also mediocre.

          • September 30, 2013 at 4:22 pm
            FFA says:
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            Interesting year so far… Lil brother should be lighting up the sky. Instead he is star gazing.

            That damn Dez Bryant may have cost me my Fantasy Game this week. I need Brees to light it up to Sproals tonight.

            KC…. I don’t know what to think about them. Retread Coach and a retread QB…

          • September 30, 2013 at 4:27 pm
            FFA says:
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            And what happened to Manziel this week end??? Only 252 yards and only two touch down??? Guess he is human after all…

            All kidding aside, he would look great in a Chicago Uniform when he come out….

  • September 27, 2013 at 4:23 pm
    Patti Cake in the East says:
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    What all of you liberals are failing to see is, “Lower than projected premiums” STILL MEANS THAT THE PREMIUMS ARE GOING TO BE HIGHER!!!!! They just ‘miscalculated’ Yeah, right. I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale, too. This is just another smoke screen to get all of you talking more about what a beautiful thing Obamacare is (not). What’s the flavor of the day, libs??

    • September 27, 2013 at 4:53 pm
      Agent says:
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      Patti Cake, that is from the Ministry of Information and it changes all the time. Their leader also thinks that raising the debt limit does not increase the debt. HMMMM!

      • September 30, 2013 at 10:19 am
        Libby says:
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        Agent – Visa increases my credit limit all the time. That doesn’t mean my debt is increased, though.

        PC – Cherry!

        • September 30, 2013 at 10:52 am
          FFA says:
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          Your not the Govt. They will run it right up to the max…

          • September 30, 2013 at 10:58 am
            Libby says:
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            That may be so, but just increasing the debt ceiling does not automatically increase the debt. Just pointing out to Agent that Obama’s remark is not stupid as he insinuates it is.

          • September 30, 2013 at 12:13 pm
            Agent says:
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            Actually, the President’s statement was as dumb as it sounded. A liberal has no concept of debt or borrowing as has been proven over the past 5 years. $6 Trillion in deficit spending, taking in $2.4 Trillion, spending $3.4 Trillion annually, borrowing $.40 of every dollar spent does increase the debt. Completely unsustainable, but liberals like Libby will never get it.

    • September 30, 2013 at 5:22 pm
      Agent says:
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      Hey FFA, on Manzell, it was Arkansas, not SMU. Arkansas employed a strategy that was pretty good. Keep Manzell on the sideline as much as possible, make him take short passes, make him use running plays instead of passing all the time. He had to grind it out, but they still won so there is more than one way to skin a cat. SEC teams are adjusting to his style more so he is a known commodity now.

      By the way, KC changed out 30 players on a 47 man roster so Reid has done wonders with them, retread or not. I wish he were coaching the Cowgirls and maybe they would have some fight in them.

      • September 30, 2013 at 5:43 pm
        FFA says:
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        Good to know he can adjust on the fly. Smart kid – thinking on his feet.

        I had no idea KC turned that many over. Probably best addition was Smith (aside from Reid). I still cant believe Lovie is sitting at home. I don’t think he ever got the respect he earned in Chicago.

        • September 30, 2013 at 6:07 pm
          Agent says:
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          Lovie will get his chance again. He is too good of a coach to sit home for long. With the records of some coaches starting 0-4, there will be some changes made after this year. Coughlin could be gone in NY if he doesn’t get something going soon. They don’t have a defense and the offense has too many 3 and outs or turnovers so the game quickly gets away from them. The natives are restless in the Big Apple.

  • September 30, 2013 at 12:14 pm
    Captain Planet says:
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    Many on all sides often get debt and deficit confused. Agent isn’t the only one. All raising the ceiling does is allow us to pay the bills Congress already spent. We can all complain on what they spent the money on, but it is money already spent. Now, we have the invoice and don’t want to run into issues that may harm our national credit. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Those on The Right often say gov’t should run like a household or business. Do you think households and businesses want to ruin their credit by not paying bills?

    On a side note, nice to see the House Republicans getting drunk on the job. I wonder what Fox would be saying if President Obama was caught drinking on the job. I’m sure they’d be suggesting impeachment. I guess the House Republicans are literally drunk driving us over the cliff.

    • September 30, 2013 at 12:45 pm
      Agent says:
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      What planet are you from Planet? The Treasury has already announced they are running short on cash and need the debt ceiling raised to pay their bills. That is another way of saying we need to borrow more to get more cash to pay the bills. Even my 12 year old grandson knows borrowing more will cause more debt obligation. It is too bad you and Libby don’t understand the basics, but then again you are liberal, so we have to cut you a lot of slack. What happened to all that extra tax revenue the government took in after they soaked the rich last time? When spending is this out of control, no amount of money is ever adequate to a Progressive Liberal or to many of the RINO’s in government.

      • September 30, 2013 at 1:50 pm
        Insurance102 says:
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        Yawn!!!

    • September 30, 2013 at 12:50 pm
      FFA says:
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      Think they are all drinking??? Maybe that’s why nothing gets done – they are either drink or hung over???
      Any one checking the closet for interns on their knees?????

      • September 30, 2013 at 2:30 pm
        Agent says:
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        FFA, the reason nothing gets done is that they never sit down together to try to work something out. Hey, they are in the same building. Both sides could give a little. How about a one year grace period and let people enroll if they want or not enroll. We could see how many want it, how it was working out and not penalize people if they didn’t want to enroll now. These guys would rather trade barbs back and forth than doing something. Harry Reid is pretty much brain dead. What a joke!

        • September 30, 2013 at 2:36 pm
          FFA says:
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          Its just too much too fast too soon…
          Confuses the 20+ year agents and they think the general population just going to jump all over it.
          Well, the people had a chance to repeal it. They voted for OBama instead.

          • September 30, 2013 at 4:23 pm
            Agent says:
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            They voted for Hope & Change and now look what the change has wrought. A completely polarized society at each others throat. There is no common sense, just ideology that has to be advanced. I know a lot of these Gen-x people. They have no clue what they have done. In fact, they don’t know much of anything except how to download an app on their iphone.

          • October 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm
            Agent says:
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            FFA, Did you see the Jimmy Kimmel show where he sent his guy out on the street to ask citizens about whether they liked Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act? The reporter did not ask what their party affiliation was. When he asked about Obamacare, they all did not like it. When he asked about the Affordable Care Act, they did like it. They had no clue it was the same bill. These are the low information voters that put the man in office and then re-elected him on a slogan. Their collective IQ was about 100 and he interviewed about a dozen of them.

        • September 30, 2013 at 4:46 pm
          Captain Planet says:
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          Agent,
          The year postponement is a Republican strategy to get rid of healthcare reform all together. If it’s stalled a year, and the Rs regain Congressional power in the Senate, they feel they can repeal it at that time. This is what all of the voter suppression and gerrymandering is/was all about. They also realize people are going to like it once they enroll. Postponing is a non-starter and every R knows it. They have to leave the PPACA alone. It’s been made law upheld by SCOTUS and reaffirmed by President Obama’s landslide re-relection over candidate Romney.

          • September 30, 2013 at 4:49 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            But, if both sides want to look for ways to improve it, because it is by no means a perfect law, that’s where both sides could come together. That would be an applauded effort.

          • September 30, 2013 at 5:29 pm
            Agent says:
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            Yes, Planet. We have seen what all that voter suppression was all about in Ohio & Florida with many districts having Democrats voting multiple times and precincts having 100% to 0 for Obama. That has not happened in American History. I don’t think that is the result of Republican voter suppression. We will have to wait and see how many young people go running out and sign up for this nonsense. Are you going to say that Republicans sabotaged the exchanges if they don’t sign up?

          • September 30, 2013 at 5:52 pm
            FFA says:
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            So Cap, explain how this is going to work. I went on the Kaiser foundation today to get acclimated to the site. It is telling me that my premium – after subsidy would be $1000 a year – $7200 and change before subsidy. Bronze Premium.

            I am currently paying about $1700 @ month – over $20K a year for me & my wife, If I add my Gr Kids on, no change in premium.

            How can that be possible? what am I giving up?

            BTW – still nothing from Illinois. No official coverage outlines. No Official Premiums. Nothing…

            How long are people like you & Libby not going to mind paying that much more in taxes? That $19K needs to be made up somewhere……

      • September 30, 2013 at 6:13 pm
        Agent says:
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        The politicians in both parties are drunk on power and have not had the citizens in mind for a very long time. Massive deficit spending on programs that don’t work, are often duplicative between departments and an entitlement society about to be saddled with yet another huge entitlement program is a sure fire recipe for disaster. Can we say Greece or France in the near future unless it is turned around?

  • September 30, 2013 at 12:53 pm
    FFA says:
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    Cap, not sure if your catching the D Rose news, but he says he is better then ever. Arrogant as all get out. Thinks he is the best player in the NBA. Think he painted a target on his back????

    • September 30, 2013 at 1:57 pm
      Captain Planet says:
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      Yeah, I’ve heard D Rose running his mouth. He better hope he can back it up. He has a long way to go in order to prove he’s even in the top 3 in the NBA. The target is definitely painted. I’m excited for the season and all the great ones have a little ego. I’d rather he remain humble and let his game speak for itself. We are getting close to tipping off the 13-14 season. We’ll see if he’s all talk or not.

  • September 30, 2013 at 9:30 pm
    Phil Lee says:
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    This article does not take into account the fact that most of the Exchange plans have reduced-size networks and reduced benefits.
    Appleby and Galewitz’s comparisons are not “apples to apples” when they say that premiums are lower than expected.

  • October 1, 2013 at 10:24 am
    FFA says:
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    Well Guess what????? 09:23am in Chicago and still no answers. The server is down…. Went on at 12:01am and guess what – Blue Cross Nothing. Humana was redirecting me to EHealth.COm.



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