Massachusetts judge approves taxpayer-funded sex change for inmate

[JohnR! 5,495]

I know, I've been reading. I still find it funny though that our elected officials actually vote in favor of or against something that they haven't actually read themselves. Then admit they haven't read it and still manage to get re-elected.

I would bet money that they do not read most of the bills. Considering how little they do, I can't fathom them having a really productive discussion about any bills that cross their desks. I would also bet you that this is where it all begins. I have no time to read the law that you wrote. You belong to the other party, therefore I must be against your bill, unless you agree to back me up in another bill I wrote last week and against which you voted. I think that is how they manage to include subsidies to synthetic pigment research inside energy bills.

[Teddy B 17,252]

You make a choice on whether or not to obtain health insurance. If you do obtain health insurance, you do not pay the tax. If you don't obtain health insurance, you are subject to the tax. The choice whether or not to pay that tax is entirely yours.

There is no choice to completely opt out, therefor it is not voluntary.

[kytwell 179]

I would bet money that they do not read most of the bills.

Yep, that why I liked Rand Paul's idea.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has introduced legislation that would make it mandatory for elected lawmakers to actually read bills before voting for or against them.

http://rt.com/usa/news/paul-read-legislation-bill-329/

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s3360

[JohnR! 5,495]

There is no choice to completely opt out, therefor it is not voluntary.

How can you opt out from getting sick or being in an accident or requiring medical care? You can't control these things.

Furthermore, as a tax payer, I can't opt out from paying your medical bills if you opt out from getting insurance.

Edited September 5, 2012 by Gegel

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There is no choice to completely opt out, therefor it is not voluntary.

Of course there is. I personally opt out of that tax 100%.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Of course there is. I personally opt out of that tax 100%.

Not sure why you insist on lying about this. It is what it is, but it's certainly not voluntary, if it were, there would be an option to opt out completely without penalty.

Definition of VOLUNTARY

1: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent

2: unconstrained by interference : self-determining

3: done by design or intention : intentional <voluntary manslaughter>

4: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will <voluntary behavior>

5: having power of free choice

6: provided or supported by voluntary action <a voluntary organization>

7: acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation

Voluntary

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not sure why you insist on lying about this. It is what it is, but it's certainly not voluntary, if it were, there would be an option to opt out completely without penalty.

Definition of VOLUNTARY

1: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent

2: unconstrained by interference : self-determining

3: done by design or intention : intentional <voluntary manslaughter>

4: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will <voluntary behavior>

5: having power of free choice

6: provided or supported by voluntary action <a voluntary organization>

7: acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation

Voluntary

You're confused. You're talking about the health insurance mandate that you can't opt out of. I am talking about the tax that I can opt out of.

Edited September 5, 2012 by Mr. Big Dog

[scotinmass 588]

This has got nothing to do with Obamacare it will be paid for by the Massachusetts tax payer. Don't you guys worry about it. Us Massholes will pick up the bill.

We don't need to worry about Obamacare. We already have Romneycare!

[Teddy B 17,252]

You're confused. You're talking about the health insurance mandate that you can't opt out of. I am talking about the tax that I can opt out of.

You can't opt out of either one of them without participating in the other, you are forced to participate one way or the other, that is not voluntary,.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You can't opt out of either one of them without participating in the other, you are forced to participate one way or the other, that is not voluntary,.

Well, duh, I can't opt out of the law. All go panic now. Or should we just try and focus on what we're actually talking about? I can opt out of that tax the very same way I can opt out of speeding and parking tickets - by simply obeying the law. In the case of PPACA, that means obtaining health insurance. I do that - which I do anyways - and I am out of that tax. Paying that tax - just as paying a speeding ticket - is entirely voluntary. You can twist and turn all you want but that is a fact.

[Harsh_77 718]

You do have a choice. You can choose not to participate and pay a premium so that the rest of us are not left to pay your health care bills.

So you agree for all the families who qualify as low-income and would not be able to pay for this healthcare rest of us will pay.

[Harsh_77 718]

This has got nothing to do with Obamacare it will be paid for by the Massachusetts tax payer. Don't you guys worry about it. Us Massholes will pick up the bill.

We don't need to worry about Obamacare. We already have Romneycare!

You are right.

This conversation went on tangent coz in future any such thing would be paid by Obama care.

[JohnR! 5,495]

So you agree for all the families who qualify as low-income and would not be able to pay for this healthcare rest of us will pay.

We will continue to pay for those who cannot afford it as we do today. We will stop paying for all the slackers who can afford but choose not to get themselves health insurance.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So you agree for all the families who qualify as low-income and would not be able to pay for this healthcare rest of us will pay.

You are already paying for them. Or who do you think picks up that tab?

[JohnR! 5,495]

You can't opt out of either one of them without participating in the other, you are forced to participate one way or the other, that is not voluntary,.

You can't opt out from your car insurance either, or mortgage insurance under certain circumstances.