Papirini
[news] Megadeth singer: Obama Staged the Aurora Massacre
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
... Dumbass.
Papirini
Aaaaand I at last have a legit reason to not like Megadeth aside from "I don't like their music"
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
Eh, not liking their music is legit.
Papirini
Yeah, but then you have people who go BUT YOU HAVE TO LIKE THEIR MUSIC ITS GREEEEEEEEEEEEAT
Papirini
Like me with the Beatles and Genesis, for example, I'm not innocent of this either XD
CricketMomJenn
That's Megadumb.
Papirini
XD
CricketMomJenn
XD I couldn't help it
Papirini
It was a good one, can't blame you
CricketMomJenn
It was just THERE.
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
Papirini
Oh hey also
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
check out my plurk there's a plurk relevant to your interests
Papirini
But yeah, seriously, WTF
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
it the plot?
BERSERKER
To think I once held respect for Dave Mustaine.
Papirini
Obama hasn't shown much interest in doing something with gun control even after everything
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
I saw that one. |D
Papirini
And yup, yup it is
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
Obama has a lot of faults, but Mitt Romey and Paul Ryan... ugh.
Papirini
Yeah this
Papirini
Seriously
BERSERKER
Let's be fair
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
ngl, I'm kinda sick of the "pick who you dislike less" thing in politics.
Papirini
I actually do like Obama
BERSERKER
Obama hasn't done anything because shitheels constantly bombard him with what he's doing wrong
Papirini
^
Papirini
And the things he has done people keep trying to undo
Papirini
Regardless of how good/bad it is
Papirini
Obama: Hey guys! I've cured cancer!
CricketMomJenn
Both parties just need to DIAF.
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
Oh, there's a lot about Obama I do like (the snark not least |D). But he's been so hounded by the fucking racists who
BERSERKER
Because he's a black president, and far more importantly he's a Democrat
BERSERKER
So god forbid anything he does is good
Papirini
GOP:BLOCK BLOCK BLOCK OBSTRUCT EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
don't want to admit the main reason they don't like him is because he's a black man in the White House.
BERSERKER
Seriously.
Papirini
Obama: But...but it cure cancer!
BERSERKER
I can't even say it's a racist thing.
Papirini
GOP: COMMUNISMMMMMMM
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
I can. THe birthers, for one thing.
Papirini
Honestly though, I really do think racism plays a big part of it
Papirini
That for one.
BERSERKER
People calling him down? Sure
BERSERKER
But him getting cockblocked at every opportunity? No
BERSERKER
It's all because he's a democrat. If he was Republican (as if Republicans let anyone but rich white men in their group)
BERSERKER
He'd shit gold and piss diamonds
BERSERKER
Because this is, basically, a classist system. If you're not part of the majority class in the government offices
BERSERKER
They don't want you there
Papirini
Also the fact that after he came into power? Threats and attacks against the president - and in general - by white supremisists went up
Papirini
*supremicists
BERSERKER
Yeah. He's gotten shit because of his race, but it's not what's clogging the government, s'all I'm suggesting
Papirini
I honestly believe that his race IS a big reason, though not the only reason
Papirini
But its a reason
BERSERKER
Eh. I suppose it depends on what people see first, really
BERSERKER
I mean, this shit got pulled on Clinton, too, they just used sexual scandal as their weapon of choice instead of race
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
YEah, it's definitely not the only reason, but it does add up.
CricketMomJenn
He tried to bring the Republicans to the table at first but they wouldn't buy. He took too long and should have given up.
CricketMomJenn
Thing is... I don't see how we can change this. We are a failing nation. Slowly, but surely, the US will fail unless things change.
CricketMomJenn
We're going the way of Rome.
Thicken Nugget
I think the what is not racial but the how is. not so much with polticians but commentary, poltical comics, etc.
BERSERKER
^ this
Thicken Nugget
the language used, the implications made...the tea party.
TheApostate ™
....jeez, what a dumb ass
Ryl
I don't intend to vote for Obama come November, but it has nothing to do with race
Ryl
I don't agree with his policies
Ryl
that being said, I'm glad we have a black president
Ryl
and I'm not going to start buying into crazy conspiracy theories just because I don't like someone or something
Ryl
and, yeah, America is a failing nation at this point
Ryl
what else do we expect when everyone demands quick fixes that only put a bandaid on a punctured lung?!
Ryl
and for goodness sake, why do we keep borrowing money from China?!
Ryl
they're not our allies
Ryl
eventually, bills always come due, even for governments...
Ryl
Thicken Nugget
I agree we are far too short sighted (althought that's why I'm voting for Obama. Moving slow and steady and thoughtout get him labeled with
Thicken Nugget
getting nothing done, when he's just getting things done that are difficult and slow moving to do right)
Papirini
Actually,
Ryl
, fun fact about the national debt
Papirini
Only about 2 percent of our debt is actually owed to China
Papirini
The biggest debtholder of the US government is...the US government
Ryl
huh...
Papirini
We owe ourselves roughly up to 90 percent of our national debt
Ryl
that's ridiculous
Ryl
how do you owe yourself money?!
Papirini
Ridiculous...but true XD
Ryl
although it sounds like the sort of crazy thing our government would do...
Papirini
The treasury owns most of our debt in bond I believe
BERSERKER
Yeah. Only in America could you legitimately fund a country in angel kisses and fairy farts
Ryl
that totally is a fun fact
BERSERKER
It's an economic nightmare
Ryl
Papirini
I doubt we're the only ones who do that, but yes. The OMFG CHINA OWNS US argument is dumb anf in fact I believe China owes us more
Papirini
Than we owe them
BERSERKER
Well, kinda hard to say; Most xenophobic Americans will complain that all of our stuff comes from Chinese sweatshops
BERSERKER
And the sheer affluence of Chinese-made imports here muddies how much our economies are intertwined
Papirini
To be fair, we generally paid ourselves off on those bonds which is why we had such a good credit standing
Papirini
Because, yeah, we might not pay it off until 30 years when the loan comes due but we do
Papirini
Whixh is why our credit score was knocked a peg by that one company
Papirini
Because the Republicans, by theatening to take the budget hostage, threatened the payment of our debt to ourselves
Papirini
Thus the threat of default
Papirini
Yes some of the budget goes to paying off our debt, but that tends to get lost in bullshit arguments
Papirini
So people think insert president here is letting the debt go nuts
Papirini
Or whatever
BERSERKER
Yeah, but at least that's kind of a consistent worry, not something that changes between presidents
Papirini
The truth is that it is very, VERY rare for a country to not be in debt
Papirini
Of SOME kind
Ryl
I love America, but she's one crazy
Papirini
Well, true, but, like, literally the ONLY time anyone has cleared a country's debts was Andrew Jackson
Ryl
I love America, but she's one crazy country
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
America, you cray-cray
Papirini
And he did it by stealing other people's shit
Papirini
And the debt cleared for all of five minutes
Papirini
And as far as I know it has not happened before or since
Papirini
anywhere else
Papirini
So while being debt free is nice in theory, I wouldn't hold my breath for it to happen anywhere ever
Papirini
In our lifetime at least
Ryl
I think the biggest problem we have as a country is that we as citizens get ourselves in financial trouble and then whine to the government
Ryl
to bail us out
Ryl
instead of taking responsibility for our own bad choices
Thicken Nugget
I think the biggest issue is that we think short term. we worry more about defending our money/taxes in the moment and not realize that
Thicken Nugget
many of these programs pay off in the long run. but goddamn not my taxes right now!
Ryl
instead of taking responsibility for our own bad choices
Thicken Nugget
so instead of paying smaller fees for say, uiversal health care, we end up paying way more to private companies over time.
Ryl
I don't mind the taxes
Ryl
I just don't like the government telling me "you must get xyz"
Ryl
or "you must get our version of xyz"
Ryl
because to me, that leaves so much control in the governments hands that should be in mine
BERSERKER
Yeah, the black-and-white healthcare thing kinda chafes
Ryl
and I'm not even sure it's truly constitutional
Thicken Nugget
the gov erment is prooooobably looking out more for you than most HMOs. as bad as that sounds.
Ryl
do I have anything against health insurance on principle? No!
Ryl
I'd rather have no insurance than an HMO
Ryl
I have a genetic condition that I need screening for
Ryl
an HMO won't cut it for me
Ryl
which is also why I'm extra hesitant to trust the government with my healthcare
Thicken Nugget
because they have to pay their bills. and they have to provide services. so when someone can't pay suddenly you're getting more views on
Thicken Nugget
your xray then needed at 3x the price
Ryl
I can believe that
Thicken Nugget
well with ANY social medicine program you can always choose a private option
Ryl
provided you can afford it
Thicken Nugget
ok I dunno with any, but the major goverment ones we look at
Ryl
and in just a couple weeks, I'll be full time so I can get benefits... 
Thicken Nugget
and the thing is if insurance is free, private options have tp pirce themselves competativly
Thicken Nugget
so it's win/win
Ryl
although it could easily drive the private companies out of business
Thicken Nugget
if the goverment is giving the milk away for free, your provider can't charge $500/month for it
Ryl
except it's not really free
Thicken Nugget
unlikely. it hasn't in england
BERSERKER
Sure they can.
Ryl
it's coming from our tax money
Thicken Nugget
comparatively it is
BERSERKER
"Our milk isn't free, but we make sure our cow is actually washed before we milk it"
BERSERKER
Canada has standardized government health care and it's terrible
Ryl
and it would at least appear to be worth the money
Thicken Nugget
yes but the small amount you pay in taxes vs upwards of $100s a month...this is sort of what I meant with short term thinking
BERSERKER
But it's still better than having to choose between dying in the street or sudden three thousand dollar bills you can't pay
Ryl
I've heard people who like Canada's healthcare and people who don't
Thicken Nugget
see, most canadians I talk to love it
Thicken Nugget
I am assuming you are too and you'd be my first negative one I've heard
BERSERKER
No, actually. As far from Canadian as possible. Just have a bunch of friends there.
Thicken Nugget
and yeah that's sorta it., I wouldn't mind waiting 9 months for the major surgery I need. instead my option is a)pony up $20,000 (and that's
BERSERKER
Yeah, that's the thing. The complaint I hear is that, due to government health care, waits to get anything done are horrendous
Thicken Nugget
with 60/40 coverage in my favor) or live in agony and over use pain killers which is sper healthy
BERSERKER
But then, private health care isn't the only option, instead it's like...
Thicken Nugget
the issue with that is the diffrence between people who WANT instant care and people who NEED it.
Ryl
very true
Thicken Nugget
most people want their care right this second whether that is necessary or not.
BERSERKER
...Yeah. Then again, one can argue "need" in pretty much any case which isn't immediately life-threatening
Thicken Nugget
I work in a place that is pretty much private socialized medicine and the amount of people with minor coughs who think they'll die if not
Ryl
or, like, cancer which might not be immediately life-threatening now but will become fatal if not opporated on ASAP
Thicken Nugget
seen immideiatly is...bigger than you'd wanna think about
Thicken Nugget
but they always look at those details. and even in private meidcal you have that issue. there are only so many brain surgeons and so many
Thicken Nugget
operations they can do a day no matter how many are needed
BERSERKER
Yeah.
BERSERKER
In the grand scheme of things it works. Which is why I wouldn't mind something like that here.
BERSERKER
Obamacare was totally the wrong way to tackle it though
Thicken Nugget
it's because too many people object to the way it should have been done an draggedit down to near useless.
BERSERKER
Possibly. Probably.
Thicken Nugget
they wanted to nueter it so it'd fail
Thicken Nugget
but already just with the changes at work it's better than nothing. as long as employeers looks at 5 year or so plans the preventative
Thicken Nugget
makes it a chaper (and healthier) option alone.
Thicken Nugget
(sorry my typing is so shitty I am on a phone)
BERSERKER
You know, I have to wonder how the UK survived Tony Blair. If we could somehow harvest that knowledge to apply to our own country...
Papirini
The problem with the HCA is that a lot of the provisions that would have eliminated a lot of problems were gutted out by GOP demands
Papirini
Also I refuse to call it Obamacare. just so yall know
Papirini
And now with the optional part millions will still be SOL because GOP governors will refuse to fund it
Papirini
In their states, BECAUSE of GOP demands
Thicken Nugget
yeah having optional sorta...guts programs like this
Thicken Nugget
nd the same people who chyoose the optional are those who go "Well, just go into any ER they can't refuse you if you're uninsured..."
CricketMomJenn
Yeah. I love how they want to gut Medicare, Medicade, Social Security, and Welfare.
Papirini
Yeeeeah, because naturally they assume poor people are all on medicaid and suck off taxes
CricketMomJenn
Gee, do we want to pay for cheaper preventative care or pay for last minute care at the emergency room? And would you rather help people...
Papirini
Which is FAAAAAAR from the truth. In fact there are people who make 8000 a year
CricketMomJenn
Stay in their homes and give back to the economy instead of housing homeless millions?
Papirini
Who cannot get medicare because states lowered the maximum rate you can earn to qualidy to bullshit levels
Papirini
Like, literally you have to be starving in certain states to qualify
Papirini
One state says you can only make 3000 a year to qualify
Papirini
I do not think it is a coinicidence that in most GOP run states the maximum amount you can make is far below the poverty line
Papirini
And just low enough to disqualify people who barely make five-digits a year
CricketMomJenn
Ugggh. I know.. They don't get it.
CricketMomJenn
They cost us MORE money by causing expensive care/surgery that could have been avoided.
Thicken Nugget
yeah, welfare queens is such a bs...you can't survive off it. I know. We had to as a kid. And we were getting the top end of things.
Papirini
Its disgusting and its almost designed to kill people
Thicken Nugget
and it still sucked balls.
Papirini
YES. Exactly. Welfare/illegal queens is bullshit stories and they know it
Thicken Nugget
my mom use to work in well fair (Ironically) and she said of all the cases she worked on
Thicken Nugget
ythere was only a handful that were cheating the systems that they couldn't pin down to kick out
Thicken Nugget
and only one in that handful who actually got anything signifigant out fo the system
Thicken Nugget
around her I think you get a base rate and then $150 per child...I can't even imagine raising a child on $150 a month
Thicken Nugget
I think we got $900 a month which was a lot for government assistance, because my mom broke her back so...no question she could not work.
CricketMomJenn
It's a terrifying idea.....
Thicken Nugget
and we lived off $900, the two of us.
Thicken Nugget
I think that's my rent currently between me and my girlfriend in a mmodest apartment in a so-so neighborhood. Possibly less.
Thicken Nugget
(now this was 10 years ago or so, but still)
Papirini
It is. Especially for a young kid
Thicken Nugget
but yeah, and we did get some other kick backs here and there (Free health care, free school lunches) but welfare is not a pretty life.
BERSERKER
No, it is not.
BERSERKER
Neither is Social Security.
CricketMomJenn
It costs about 1200 a month for a decent apartment around here.
Papirini
And in this kind of economy it is hard to find jobs
Ryl
I grew up on Social Security
Thicken Nugget
yeah. it really is...bare minimum to survive. Which...as bleeding heart liberal as I am, I don't feel is unfair for temporary situations
Ryl
don't ask me how it worked
BERSERKER
Define "bare minimum"
Ryl
but we had help from my mom's parents and my dad's siblings
Papirini
I grew up in a military family
BERSERKER
I get 465/mo on my SSI, and rent alone is $600+ around here, to say nothing of utilities
Thicken Nugget
I think people who are, for example, diabled and can't get out of it is diffrent but
Thicken Nugget
it's meant to be a hand to get you through rough patches
BERSERKER
If I didn't have anyone else in my life I would literally be homeless even with government help.
Thicken Nugget
but it's a damn needed hand.
BERSERKER
yeah, hear hear
Papirini
Yeah, my family
Thicken Nugget
well, my mom is a thirfy scot, so she managed to stretch things in ways I don't understand. It wasn't until I was older and around people
Papirini
Lets just say we were a step awau from it at points
Thicken Nugget
who weren't poor that IU realized how poor nwe were cause I was always feed and clothed and cleaned, and got occasional treats
Papirini
And once we got out our family had something like a hundred thousand dollars of debt
Thicken Nugget
now I have a concept of money and "normal" I am just like "...oh."
Thicken Nugget
yeah. I think that's a lot of it.
Thicken Nugget
maxing out credit cards with minimum payments
Papirini
Yeah, its shocking when one thinks about it
Papirini
Eeeeyup because there was no more money to pay for it
Papirini
Not because of laziness
Papirini
Because ya know poor people be lazy lololol
Thicken Nugget
just sit around gathering those fat welfgare check and living the good life
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
yep
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
clearly poor people want to be poor so they won't have to work.
Papirini
INdeed, and this includes people and families in the military who, as we know
Papirini
Are MOST lazy and unpatriotic
ℓα∂у уєииєfєя
