Insurance Firms Fear Public Option Will Kill Their Near-Monopolies

[justashooter 430]

Well if the government plan costs more than a private one, who in their right mind would use it?

look to social security on that one buddy. 40% of their gross revenue is eaten up in administrative costs. most privately owned or publicly traded businesses operate with 15-30% administrative costs. the higher numbers are businesses that involve engineering and research, including those costs in "administration".

[mawilson 2,133]

Well if the government plan costs more than a private one, who in their right mind would use it?

look to social security on that one buddy. 40% of their gross revenue is eaten up in administrative costs. most privately owned or publicly traded businesses operate with 15-30% administrative costs. the higher numbers are businesses that involve engineering and research, including those costs in "administration".

I have no choice with Social Security - I am taxed on the first $106,800 of my income whether I want it or not.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

look to social security on that one buddy. 40% of their gross revenue is eaten up in administrative costs. most privately owned or publicly traded businesses operate with 15-30% administrative costs. the higher numbers are businesses that involve engineering and research, including those costs in "administration".

40% of social security revenues goes to administrative cost? Where'd you get that number? World Nut Daily?

[mawilson 2,133]

look to social security on that one buddy. 40% of their gross revenue is eaten up in administrative costs. most privately owned or publicly traded businesses operate with 15-30% administrative costs. the higher numbers are businesses that involve engineering and research, including those costs in "administration".

40% of social security revenues goes to administrative cost? Where'd you get that number? World Nut Daily?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

And the truth shall set you free!

Administrative costs account for only 0.6 percent of total Social Security retirement and survivors benefit payments. According to the most optimistic estimates, even private accounts plans with very limited choices and services would have administrative costs more than ten times as high.

[HAL 9000 96]

Doh!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

And the truth shall set you free!

Administrative costs account for only 0.6 percent of total Social Security retirement and survivors benefit payments. According to the most optimistic estimates, even private accounts plans with very limited choices and services would have administrative costs more than ten times as high.

Wait. What? Hey, that's not 40 percent. Communist propaganda.

[Heracles 417]

Democrats need to listen to Republicans here. We are running the danger of our own worst nightmare - becoming what they were for 8 years. A party that did its own thing its own way and did not build consensus in drafting legislation. There are smart and caring Republicans with good ideas on the Hill, and they want to reform healthcare. There are also red-state bluedog Democrats who are not going to swallow the whole Obama package. It's time for Obama to not simply sit by -- he needs to directly intervene in the Congressional debate and twist a few arms in his own party.

Where are these smart Republicans? Where's their alternative plan? I haven't seen any new GOP ideas other than their usual solution for everything - "cut taxes for the rich".

And you know what, repubs tried that and failed. Most of the wealthiest countries also have the highest taxes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_count...l%29_per_capita

Repubs also need to realize the Regan days are gone. Different world back then. Different set of challenges.

Edited July 2, 2009 by Constellation

[Heracles 417]

There us room for both a public and private system.

[Heracles 417]

Contrary to the belief of some, federalism has not failed and is actually a prerequisite of every single wealthy or growing nation in 2009. I don't know what it is going to take for the Repubs to realize this. Unfortunately, it looks like you will only get it once the super federal China surpasses the US. How are they dong it? with a powerful central government. You seem to get it when it comes to Military but fail to get it with regards to anything else. How do you think Australia has rapidly moved up the ranks so quickly? Federalism combined with actual states rights. AKA big efficient governments. None of this counties / cities inefficiencies. Same efficiencies and economies of scale that companies like walmart benefit from.

For example, Federal government puts to tender an order of penicillin. As a result, gets the best price and a good quality product.

Edited July 2, 2009 by Constellation