Here’s a very good (imo) opinion piece by John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods in today’s Wall Street Journal.
Rather than destroying the best best health care system in the world by handing it over to the muppets who have been so successful running Social Security, Medicare, the USPS, Amtrak, etc., Mackey suggests going the other way and having LESS government involvement.
What a novel idea!
Here are his eight reforms that would lower overall costs – for everyone:
• Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs).
• Equalize the tax laws so that that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits.
• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. [iow a true, free market]
• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover. [i’m really digging this ‘less government theme’, ovah heah]
• Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year
[for some reason, the dems never want to discu$$ this one…]
• Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost.
• Enact Medicare reform.[hopefully, before that ship sinks]
• Finally, revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. [we know who donates more to charities voluntarily and who throws nickels around like manhole covers when it comes to ‘voluntary giving’ but are very generous with other people’s money]
“A careful reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care, food or shelter. That’s because there isn’t any. This “right” has never existed in America.” [True dat!]
Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know all about food stamps, section 8 housing, etc. I think that entire system is more ridlled with scammers than the Nigerian Lottery letter writing union. For starters, start drug testing all those who are receiving gov’t handouts. There are too many lazy sacks o’ shite ‘gaming’ the system. I have no problems with helping out the truly less fortunate but do not believe it is the government’s job or responsibility. I spend enough on my own ‘vices’ and don’t need to be supporting Jerry Springer’s fan base’s habits. The entitlement programs in this country are a serious crutch – and in my opinion, stifle any ambition one would have to get off the dole.
No one is saying the U S health care system is perfect, but most now agree handing it over to the gummint would be ‘fucktarded‘ to say the least. Improve on the one we have and do NOT give any more control to the ‘gummint’.
Best,
-DMG
Nice john mackey…I was looking at a pair trade short Whole foods long safeway but I will stay away now that he is a good American… Pelosi lives right down the street from me in SF…my buddy eggs the house at least once a quarter…she always has security like crazy though
Yeah – after reading the above article, i may have to stop giving the wife shit about shopping there .
I think the whole ‘organic’ thing is way, way overhyped though.
Penn & Teller did a piece on their show ‘Bullshit’ recently. They cut an ordinary, non-organic banana in half and did a taste test at a local farmer’s market (i think). Quite hilarious to see all the naive, hippie-types choose the one they were told was organic… a must see.
I know I’ll get grilled for this…
But having a Universal/Affordable Health Care system benefits far more people, and costs less per person than the current status quo in the USA.
Its proven in every country that has one.
Universal HC might not suit the US, but their needs to be an affordable model for the general public.
Its ok if Health Care is a business for profit, but the current obscene amounts of profit is ludicrous.
We can make our money trading other stock anyways.
And one more point, its proven (in the canada welfare system anyways) that the average person is only on it for 3 months as a crutch until they get back on their feet.
Furthermore, most people on Welfare are single mothers. They need the help. And when they do get a part time job that amount is taken out from their welfare cheque, also the cost of daycare when they are working isn’t factored in.
So it benefits them to not work they would get the same amount and can take care of their kid at home.
I think you would be surprised to find that current profits are not that obsene, with the majority of your dollar going into large accounts in case of litigation. Besides, if profits are so obsene, maybe you should become a doctor.
I’ve worked for one of those healthcare companys for nearly a decade now. Trust me when i say the profits are OBSCENE. The governmnet is catching on though, and suing our pants off like mad.
“Its ok if Health Care is a business for profit, but the current obscene amounts of profit is ludicrous.”
I appreciate your feedback but be careful Joe, your true colors are showing (commie red).
I’m all about the free-market economy where the consumer dictates profit by choosing to buy or not to buy whatever service/goods you are providing.
As far as who and why certain people are on welfare, again it’s about personal responsibility. Maybe if we weren’t paying these unwed mothers to have more children and essentially be rewarded for their irresponsibility, it would be less of an issue.
I think these programs do more harm than good.
Sisters of the poor and other non-government run charity programs do a much better job than big brother.
Nothing wrong with my true colors, a slight socialist POV on some issues. But most Americans buy in to anything being remotely socialist as being communist, evil and wrong. Most of the world is more socialist than the US. Or is trying to be. Are we all communists then?
Back to my point…
Theres a lot more to welfare than personal responsibility. But I can agree with you that Welfare in itself is a broken system. My point about the single mothers is that the system is designed to pay them as little amount as possible, and penalizes them when they find work. This keeps them on it and forces a repeating pattern. Give the single moms more services to help them, not necessarily cash money just more affordable services, and they would have a much easier time breaking out of this cycle. THen the system can focus on the small % that is lazy and leaches.
Theres a reason US pays more pp on welfare than any other country and has privatized welfare in some states I believe as well. I dont think anyone can say where it stems from, but something needs to be corrected there. People are getting mad.
Were off topic now, my fault….
But the question is, does that horse have health insurance?? With the bruises and mostly-death status received from our ‘Office Space’ friends, it may not qualify anymore thanks to those lovely pre-existing conditions…
Yes, our friends at PETA have just filed a ‘cease and desist’ order to stop beating that dead horse and have demanded immediate hospitalization for said dead horse – damned the cost!
However, i am sending my anti-Peta correspondent, Mike Vick, over to their HQ with a pack of angry pitbulls to ‘negotiate’ terms.
You know, the whole “repeal back the government” would work perhaps if it weren’t for the sad truth that too often governments HAVE to get involved because “upstanding” businesspeople have zero qualms about ripping off their customers every chance they get.
There are plenty of places where single payor works fine.
I happen to live in one of them.
Your statement betrays your idiocy. Only pure ideological blindness would call a difference between a citizen with an investment in his community and a self interested politician of the State.
As for your last statement, your healthcare is for shit, and getting worse. It will only run to the gutter faster if we turn in your direction.
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I don’t know dude, this doesn’t sound so “fine” to me.
Also, i do not have any facts about this but my buddy up there- who happens to have emigrated from Iran and makes a very good living selling cars (mercs)- told me recently that there are more “for profit” clinics opening up in canada. Is that true and if so, why- if everything is so hunkey-funkin-dorey?
Governments HAVE to ________________? So sorry, not in my playbook. No doubt there are plenty of companies/business people (mortgage lenders?) who rip people off but hey – that’s life. Wise up. Stand up. Stop being such a fucking pussy. Spread the word. Word gets out. Don’t do business with those companies. Some young entrepreneur will see there is a demand to supply and make a name for him/herself as an “honest” businessperson and make a nice living. It’s the american dream, son.
If “free enterprise” were truly free – there would be no need for anti-trust laws.
That’s such an obvious one that it’s a shame that Jake left you to run the ship.
I hope you see that iceberg up ahead.
Anti-trust laws are merely the respite of an authoritarian state seeking to solidify it’s power. The only way a monopoloy can exist is with partnership with the state. If you understood even rudimentary economics, you’d realize this.
Get a clue. The “iceberg up ahead” is your no longer state-affordable socialized medicine. Glug glug.
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First:
Single payer systems are not “socialised medicine”. In a socialised medical system, the doctors work for the government. That is not true here in Canada because the doctors work in private practices and simply bill the government. In fact, it works smoother than that rat’s nest of a system in the States because there is simply one billee 99.9% of the time as opposed to a myriad of insurances companies whose goal is to pay the least amount for the vast majority of their “clients”.
Every time you tell that lie, it makes me wonder if you really believe the bile you spew or if you’re just in it for the page views. I’m sure an educated person like yourself already knows that the Canadian system is not “socialised” but, perhaps I over estimate your home schooling.
Second:
Anti-trust laws are merely the respite of an authoritarian state seeking to solidify it’s power.
Of all the wing nuttery that’s somehow escaped your keypad and made a soiled path to the internet, that’s got to be in the top three goofiest things you’ve ever said.
So mired in your Friedmanania, you fail to see the reality of the market which shows over and over again that a monopoly, ANY MONOPOLY, reduces the efficiency of your mythical “free market” by simple fact that unchecked greed and ambition destroy the very markets they seek to master.
But, such is the sad life of the libertarian netizen who, in his self-deluded anglo-american middle-class “distress”, finds it easier to resort to arguing for the destruction of the very market they claim to champion, than actually engage in any form of practical debate.
It’s your mental midgetry that engages in the willful disregard of the historical evidence which shows without any shred of doubt that the economic Darwinism that libertarians praise to the high heavens has actually been attempted and like communism has failed.
Furthermore, any true democracy refuses to participate in the prescribed Friedman lunacies so these “experiments in market freedom” have only been implemented under dictatorships.
Because, any engaged democratic form of government (republic or otherwise) finds itself refusing these dangerous fantasies by will of the vast majority of the citizenry, who see with clear eyes, the sham that is the “total free market” and call it for what it is – the looting of the public-private market by the top 1% of the country.
Monopolies are not in the best interest of a democratic public. Your libertarian lust for power and wealth is inconsistent with your braying of “freedom”.
Stop straw manning, dipstick, I won’t have it.
First, when there is only one payor, that payor can ration — which he does in Canada. Do not pretend that because doctors are not getting weekly paychecks straight from the gummint that the great majority of their PAY comes from anywhere else.
Government price controlled healthcare is rationed healthcare is poor healthcare, and if we bring your limited care system to this country it will affect the investment markets in health care as well, making your now poor health care even more wretched. Your ridiculous shuffle footed maunderings in defense of your system aside, I am trying to assist you.
Second, study economics, I don’t have the time or the inclinaton to school you on how monopolies must partner with the state in order to maintain monopoly standing. It should be evident to anyone that knows how a free market works, but given that you live in a socialist country, I’ve no doubt you were never educated on the subject.
As for the “looting” of the country, take a glance at who’s paying all the taxes in ours, and the tell me honestly about “looting.”
You truly are a cluetard on the subject,.
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Actually, the cluetard is anyone who thinks that you have original macro opinions and doesn’t realise that it’s a cobbled together mess of right wing talk radio wet nursing, Gary’s market calls on commodities, and your own incipient racism.
Why not be honest with yourself and change the name to something like “Goebbel’s Greens” because your petite fascism has gotten old in a hurry.
CL – are you a ditch-digger by trade?
You seem to be very proficient at digging yourself deeper and deeper…
“Racism” now? ROFLMAO.
You really are a knee jerk laugh riot, Cuervo. What insipid leftist reactionary accusation will you make next? This is worse than your fellow idjit’s dimwittery.
At least his use of language is clever.
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So you cop to cobbling your blogging agenda to pulling choice pieces from right wing talk radio and ripping off Gary’s thesis but, have an issue when I call you on your use of “islamofascism” and “Canuckistan”?
What you choose to defend yourself against shows much of what you’re all about Jakey.
Lol-“defend myself?”
Against the last gasp of a cluetard trying to salvage his pride with the Universal Dimshit Leftist calumy of “racism?”
If you had a firmer grasp on the Engish language,you’d realize I’m ridiculing you… again.
Your lack makes sport all the sweeter.
Go tie a rope, dimwit. You and your
Jacobin kindred are at an end
__
LULZ Jake. Game Over. You win the absurdity prize.
It was nice debating with you but now, I finally came face to face with your lack of even a semblance of a proper education. You believe in the Illuminati, what a putz you are.
Furthermore, aside form your pale ‘netboy threat (get it rope, end, get it uh huh uh huh) and the fact that you’ve stolen the best bits of your “political views” from the likes of Glenn Beck and reading the back pages of pro-life magazine screeds against Canada, you finally up end yourself in a pool of bile made by your own insipid inability to defend any point without resorting to (self admitted) ad hominem attacks and weirdo cryptofascist jingoism.
For the rest of you who have no clue what his keyboard threat referred to, please review this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memoirs_Illustrating_the_History_of_Jacobinism
and for the folks who like the “executive summary”
In the book, Barruel claims that the French Revolution was the result of a deliberate conspiracy or plot to overthrow the throne, altar and aristocratic society in Europe. The plot was allegedly hatched by a coalition of philosophes, Freemasons, and the Order of the Illuminati. The conspirators created a system that was inherited by the Jacobins who operated it to its greatest potential. The Memoirs purports to expose the Revolution as the culmination of a long history of subversion. Barruel was not the first to make these charges but he was the first to present them in a fully developed historical context and his “evidence” was on a quite unprecedented scale. Barruel wrote each of the first three volumes of the book as separate discussions of those who contributed to the conspiracy. The fourth volume is an attempt to unite them all in a description of the Jacobins in the French Revolution. Memoirs Illustrating the History of Jacobinism is representative of the criticism of the Enlightenment that spread throughout Europe during the Revolutionary period.
You see, he pulled the last silver bullet out and found that it was simply a bent tinfoil wad that used to hold a stick of chewing gum.
I close with a quote from the wikipedia article that will bring this to a close:
The historical accuracy of his polemic is doubtlessly false but it is an important source for the understanding of the mentality of the opponents of the French Revolution and their understanding of the ideological origins of the Revolution. Furthermore, Barruel is also seen as the father of a modern conspiracy theory. The Memoirs contain all of the elements that continue to characterize conspiracy narratives today including “evidence” of a hidden group orchestrating world events behind the scenes and “proof” of a direct lineage from the past to the present. Barruel presents a thorough application of conspiracy theory methodology. As a result, he has had a lasting influence on following generations.
When faced with the irrefutable evidence that you have no leg to stand on – you take the coward’s route of drawing yourself up in the sickly cowl of the conspiracy theorist who makes the biggest illogical leap ever by forcing their opponent to “acknowledge” an unproven “truth” by their maddening self deluded, uncritical imaginings.
Keep it up Jake – keep preaching, perhaps you’ll get some more sheep scared enough to buy the commodities you’re so desperate to unload.
Maybe, like Mr. Beck you should just give it up and pimp yourself out for one of these gold companies.
…waiting on the moderator…
It’s amazing how you all pass around the same pathetic document down there talking about “ooh, my friend of a friend who knows someone that lives up there told me ______”.
And for the record – we don’t live in igloos here either.
But, since Americans seem to only pay attention to Americans rather than anyone living outside the “Great Firewall of America”, I give you Debunking Canadian health care myths to chew on.
From the perspective of someone who’s been a participant in both economies.
By the way, do you want that the buses of senior citizens coming up to buy medicine here should be turned back at the border?
Me: “…my buddy up there…” vs You: “ooh, my friend of a friend who knows someone that lives up there told me”
You = cornhoolio
“Igloos…” – good one, Nanook.
“Do you want that the buses of senior citizens….?”
No, i wouldn’t want that as it would bring your irrelevant little country one step closer to total collapse- which would mean an influx of goateed, bleeding hearts into the US.
I know Wally World (Walmart) has some $4 prescription drug program, as do BJ’s, K-mart, etc.
“Walmart is committed to lower healthcare costs, and our $4 Prescriptions Program has truly helped our customers save money and live better. In fact, with hundreds of prescription drugs and more than 1,000 over-the-counter medications at only $4 per 30-day supply, it has already saved them over $1 billion.”
“it’s a shame that Jake left you to run the ship” – still bitter about getting smoked in the elections, eh?
No, i wouldn’t want that as it would bring your irrelevant little country one step closer to total collapse- which would mean an influx of goateed, bleeding hearts into the US.
And in your little twisted economically illiterate view:
“total collapse” must be equal with “having the soundest banking system in the world”.
“irrelevant little country” must equal “America’s number one trading partner” (go read a macro report on who sells what to you before you go mouthing off)
even the IMF, when looking at the soundness of the banking system here and the budget surplus has placed Canada as one of the top countries to recover from the current global recession – a good bit before the US recovers from it’s depression.
And – should the whole right wingnut crowd happen to be right about the continued decline of the US Peso, well – so much the better for a country that exports commodities to you down there.
re: election -> I have no issues with how the election went. I was very clear on my point of view and the final decision was made by those that pay for investment advice from the PPT.
While I bear the PPT subscribers no ill will – unlike Jake, who is a member, I have focused on providing the tools for the retail investors to analyse information as opposed to getting mired down in political sideshows and wannabe Southern reconstructionistic fables as does Mr. Gint.
That’s only because you are inadequately equipped to discuss the subject.
The Soviet Union used to crow about how the US would be in recession too, while they soldiered on in the glorious socialist hegemony.
Think about it.
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Speaking of hegemonies…how’s your trading plan shaping up for a post-dollar reserve world?
Anyone with two eyes in their head, some math skills and an understanding of Bretton Woods knows that the only reason the economy there hasn’t touched the molten lava core is because of the global holdings in US dollars.
Yeah, it’s circular, thought. We have the biggest economy, so the rest of you Third Worlders have to hold our crappy paper, or perish.
Odd, no?
_____________
Ring! Ring!
(What’s that?)
Ring! Ring!
Telephone call from Uncle Sam to Cuervo!
“Shaddap and go saw some timber for me. I gotta print more of these greenbacks.”
__________
DMG “No, i wouldn’t want that as it would bring your irrelevant little country one step closer to total collapse- which would mean an influx of goateed, bleeding hearts into the US.”
— Are you serious?
Where have you been the last 2 years since the USA led Mortgage/Credit crisis?
Canada is much more stable that the US, economically, and politically. Smaller yes, but much more stable.
Bigger isn’t always better, thats what got you guys in this mess in the first place. You should all learn your lessons. (generalization, but hey its the truth.)
No Joe, i wasn’t really serious.
I just love to get a rise out of CL. He said the other day on Wood’s blog he was really busy and knew that comment would get him all hot and bothered… thus interrupting his feverish combing of the few anorexic strands of hair left on his head into that sweet little ponytail-thing he’s got going.
So you’re saying that stable = relevant?
But now thinking about it, if Canada somehow ceased to exist tomorrow, not sure i’d notice. (not saying some catastrophic accident where lives were lost, or something, just magic-trick-like).
I’d be interested to see some numbers comparing how much Canadiennes pay attention to what’s going on in the states and vice versa. Shocking, i’m sure. [eye roll]
Typical myopia.
Shame really, kind of blindness that’ll wipe your account if you’re not careful.
Yeah, not too worried about it as I am a mere piker with a couple of bullshit, five-figure accounts. Have mostly been a buy and hold guy with a few trades here and there. I just like the action.
Jake warned his friends and family well before the downturn – not sure if he did here as it was before my time – and saved me a bundle.
What i’m more concerned about is moving my dollars to euro when i move there in the near future. Nothing like getting .069 – .07 E for every $.
My concerns are quite allayed now that I know you are resting on Jake’s so sage advice.
Your concerns are of no concern.
edit:
0.69 – 0.70 E for every $
Hey Cuervo, this has GOT to sting, just a little, NO?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jbjzPEY0Y3bvRD335rGu_Z3KXoQw
Debunk that, pissy.
Don’t be an idiot D – I know that’s hard for you because you live behind the “Great Firewall”.
But simple comprehension of text should be within your grasp.
So grasp this and stop being snarky about a context you don’t understand.
“It’s not about choosing between an American system or a Canadian system,” said Doig. “The whole thing is about looking at what other people do.”
“That’s called looking at the evidence, looking at how care is delivered and how care is paid for all around us (and) then saying ‘Well, OK, that’s good information. How do we make all of that work in the Canadian context? What do the Canadian people want?’ “
Like Jake, you fall for this self induced myopic arrogance that predicates that by not treating those most vulnerable in your society (the ill and poor) is the best and brightest example you can show of your “progress”.
And to think that the vulgar truth of your debate is that those which make more than $250k/year consider their wealth essential to life, liberty, and the pursuit of more US Pesos.
By the way, while the Yanks were trying to figure out a way to make a cure for Diabetes more profitable than stringing along the current crop of diabetics – in 2006 two separate teams of Canadian scientists (one at University of Toronto) innovated a cure for Juvenile Diabetes.
Another team a few months later, discovered a cure for “Type 1” Diabetes in mice.
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a042812e-492c-4f07-8245-8a598ab5d1bf&k=63970
Solving diabetes in mice by the way is what can be considered “innovation” Jakey.
You might want to look up a list of Canadian inventions that make your life better before assuming that “innovation comes from Amerikuh”
You truly are pathetic.
Don’t tase me, bro.
Must be running out of other people’s money up there, eh?
And the US cops keep tasering pregnant women…
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/223578_taser10.html
Two things —
1) Your arrogance really is wearing, especially as it’s clothing a false sense of moral superiority born of maleducation and moral confusion.
Let me be clear — appropriating the moneys of others to assist the poor in whatever remunerative actions one might authoritavely dictate can never be considered a moral action. You are sacrificing nothing while gaining a false pride and superiority in the act of theft. At least robber doesn’t pound his chest and seek accolade when ripping of his neighbor. His humility puts you to further shame.
Here in the United States we believe in moral charity — that is, charity freely given of one’s own purse to those less fortunate. The encouragement of true charity bestows upon a people a sense of duty and honor that the furtive theft of involunatry commitment never can.
What’s worse, your “unseen” appropriation for some unknown greater good actually destroys the sense of obligation a community needs to maintain a united responsibility in the face of blight. How does a child learn to give freely if Nanny Gov’t has taken care of all responsibilities for charitable assistance?
Short answer — he does not, which is why charity is close to nonexistent in socialist countries, and moneys taken from taxation only bestow a sense of relief (whew, good thing I gave at the office) in the best socialists while encouraging resentment in the majority who never signed on to such a program. It is a horrible way to encourage community and you should be ashamed to promulgate it.
2) With regard to your example of diabetes innovation — just keep in mind that there would be no incentive to innovate — and no capital — without the engine of the United States driving that potential for return to those doing the hard work.
I know it’s a difficult concept for you to master, as you seem to have very little economic understanding and that little you have is obfuscated by massive pride, but without the US market, almost all innovation would come to a grinding halt. Not all, mind you, as some lucky few would get the government grant to continue forward, but near about all.
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Quit ripping off Glenn Beck Jakey.
The whole “America is the healthcare innovator” meme from Fox is so well known that even Jon Stewart is pointing it out.
You know it’s bad when you get schooled by Jon Stewart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2mhpqCPpuE
I don’t watch too much teevee. It rots the brain, as its apparently rotted yours.
I would suggest turning off the tube and studying a whole lot more economics and history.
Or at least some.
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For Jake-
A UBS upgrade to buy for PAAS this AM.
Schweeet!
Also a target cut to 23.25 from 24.00 at Canaccord and a price cut to 24 from 27.00 by CIBC.
Mixed bag with the upgrade.
Must be net “good” as we up about 9% right now. Schwing.
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Jake must be eating lobster for breakfast this AM after watching PAAS and SLW.
Indeud!
Don’t forget about EGO + 7.7% and SSRI + 5.1%
btw Jake I exited gold shorts yesterday. Looking to get back in though this time with September/October puts.
Better watch the dollar first, or I’ll own your shirt.
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Lol I shall own you twice. Havent entered the shorts of gold yet.
Jake-
Get off the Blackberry.
Send the kids out to the fields to pick a bunch of fresh blueberries and be sure to get to the small dive of a restaurant ( I forgot the name of it) in Southwest Harbor for some fresh clams.
Munching on blueberries now, but stopped in mid-drive, hence the visits.
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New Post
(thought about link-whoring but alas, i’m not worthy)
I have been reading about the cuts to health care here in BC and am reminded of that old Thatcherism about how socialism works until you run out of other people’s money.
Eggsactly!
one of jake favs…ANV is raising $100m cdn at $9 per share…deal will be well oversubscribed..first 2 calls that were made post announcement , 70pct of deal placed
Thanks for the heads up Rhill.
Here’s more on that from marketwire –