Subj : Military Report To : LEE LOFASO From : BOB KLAHN Date : Sat Sep 07 2013 02:19:18 ... LL>>> As it should. However, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) LL>>> is NOT universal health care. It is an improvement from LL>>> what we had before, but even when fully implemented far LL>>> from what Americans need and truly deserve. BK>>That is true. It's a first step, not a panacea. LL> The Affordable Care Act brings us in line as to what LL> Switzerland and the Netherlands have. Not a perfect LL> system, with a lot of fixing left to be done, but better LL> than what we have now. It's not even that good, but you do have the right idea. In fact, Switzerland is the country I always compare out system to, because it's the most expensive of the other industrial countries. Yet still 1/3rd cheaper than our system. That's a $trillion a year we would save. LL>>> What exactly do Americans need and truly deserve? Improved LL>>> Medicare for All via single-payer health care. BK>>It could be done within the same general system we have now. BK>>Most other industrialized countries do it, but they regulate it BK>>much more. LL> More regulation is needed in this country if access to LL> quality health care is to become a reality for all, or even LL> most. Just for the health care system to survive. When it hits 20% of GDP, which it's close to, it will be way too much. BK>>In this country I believe the republicans are going to force BK>>single payer on us, by simply destroying the system we have now. BK>>Impoverish too many people, reduce business to the point where BK>>few get medical benefits, and you have a failed system. LL> For Republicans, it is all about power. Not healtcare. Which they demonstrate in their arguements against Obamacare. LL> IOW, Republicans are willing to do anything and everything LL> to get back into power, even if it means gutting access to LL> quality healthcare. Right now they are threatening to LL> defund the Affordable Care Act. However, that is an empty LL> threat as Democrats continue to control the Senate, as well LL> as the White House. As such, it is just a stalling tactic, LL> an attempt to make President Obama look bad. And that last sentence sums it all up. LL> What is going to happen when people find out they like LL> Obama's health care plan more than what we had before? Do The right will tell them they are secretly on drugs. LL> you think they will want to turn back the clock? Do you LL> think Republicans can retain the House and take over the LL> Senate by promising to repeal "Obamacare"? Do you think LL> the Republicans can win the White House in 2016 with that LL> line? Once it's complete they will start reminding us it was their idea in the first place. LL>>> Notice I did not say Obamacare, Romneycare or Hillarycare. BK>>I noticed. LL>>> Leecare is the solution. Paid for by Bob K. and US LL>>> taxpayers. BK>>Uhh... wait a minute until I get my boots on. LL> The world owes me a living, not the other way around. :) Yeah, but you gotta work to collect on it. ... LL>>> Regardless of rank, our men and women in uniform deserve LL>>> better than what they get. What we have today is a BK>>Oh is that ever true. LL> That is an understatement. When I was in it was not as good as the generation before. Now it's awful. LL>>> mercenary army that has been brainwashed to think that only LL>>> they can save the world. The reality is far different, as BK>>They have learned that. 10 years of foreign wars have taught BK>>them that. LL> And yet, all too soon we seem to forget. Look at Syria. LL> Look at warhawks in the Congress. Look at President Obama. LL> Seems like war has been with us from the time we were born. Damn few of them ever wore a uniform, I doubt any saw battle. LL>>> it is led by a president who is a wimp (re: Syria). BK>>Bush was the whimp. Obama is trying desperately to keep from BK>>getting us into another military trap. Syria? Which side really BK>>did use the poison gas? LL> Wimps go to war. Tough guys get bullies to back off without LL> ever having to throw a punch. That is why Jimmy Carter was LL> such a great president. I would have been so easy for him LL> to have taken us to war in Iran. Instead, he chose to get LL> our American diplomats who were held hostage returned to LL> our soil, all safe and sound, using diplomacy as his weapon LL> of choice, without losing any combat troops during his LL> presidency. If he had sent the military first thing he would have won re-election, and we would never have had Reagan or the losers who followed him. We would not be in this situation now. LL> Ronald Reagan would have simply nuked the joint, killing LL> untold numbers of Iranians, as well as all 52 Americans. Nah, he may have been a puppet, ok he was a puppet, but the puppet masters were not that crazy. BK>>He suffers from the same failing Bush did, the inability to name BK>>the real enemy, Saudi Arabia. LL> Saudi Arabia is our friend (as long as they keep selling us LL> oil). If we bought it from Iran we would not need near as much Saudi oil, and it would all become cheaper. BK>>> IOW, BFD. LL>>> That is exactly what President Assad of Syria said about LL>>> President Obama's warning not to cross that red line ... BK>>He may learn the hard way. LL> Oh, come now! Russians and Iranians are his friends! LL> And with friends like that, who needs enemies? Think about what you just said. LL> The fact of the matter is that Bashar al-Assad has LL> survived in Syria far longer than you or me ever could. We are not brutal enough. LL> The guy lives in a tough neighborhood and knows how LL> to survive. We might not like the guy, but you do have LL> to give him credit. He has survived where others have LL> not. Only by killing good people. OTOH, Ghadafi and Saddam did the same. LL> Will he run away and seek exile in Saudi Arabia (or some LL> other Muslim country) if we invade Syria? Nah. He'll LL> stay where he is and let his bodyguards (Iran and Russia) LL> protect him. Iran won't. Russia can't, realistically speaking. LL> Not that I expect us to invade Syria anytime soon ... Just bomb and arm the rebels. BOB KLAHN bob.klahn@sev.org http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn .... Ever wonder why Hooked on Phonics advertises so much on Rush's show? --- Via Silver Xpress V4.5/P [Reg] * Origin: Fidonet Since 1991 Join Us: www.DocsPlace.org (1:123/140) .