Ace of Spades HQ

December 11, 2013

Almost No One Is Buying Private Insurance Through ObamaCare Exchanges
— DrewM

That's a slightly different take that the MSM's "OMG, OMG, ObamaCare Enrollments Surging" headlines but mine is more accurate.

Here's the bottom line.

Just about 1.2 million people have gained health coverage through Obamacare, according to new federal data released Wednesday morning.
Approximately 365,000 of those people have purchased private insurance and 803,000 have been determined to be eligible for the public Medicaid program. These numbers count data from both October and November, and show an especially quick growth in HealthCare.gov enrollment.

A couple of things to give that some actual context.

1- At least 5 million people have lost coverage due to policies being cancelled thanks to ObamaCare. So that 365,000 number is insignificant compared to that. There will no doubt be more uninsured on January 1 than there were on October 1. Don't let them get away with pretending "1.2 million people who didn't have insurance have it now!".

Liberals will point to the new "enrollments" (and assume they will pay and become actual customers) while ignoring the previously uninsured who won't get coverage in time or be able to afford the new rates and deductibles.

The are simply redistributing health insurance from those who paid for it to those who didn't. This is a victory in their minds.

2. You can talk about all the "quick growth" from October to November all you want but it's still far, far below the original targets.

The 364,000 people who have signed up through the first two months still fall short of the administration's expectations for October alone. Another 3 million people would have to sign up this month alone in order to hit the initial year-end goal.
HHS had expected 3.3 million people to sign up by the end of December and 7 million by March 31, when the enrollment window closes. Although enrollment will surely miss the mark for this year, HHS officials said they remain confident they will reach their ultimate goal.

The administration and dead-enders in the media want to judge the numbers against the pathetic first month, not the original targets (which the actuarial numbers are based on).

There's no reason other than advocacy to grant this dispensation.

3. There's still no word on the demographic makeup of this new cohort. The death spiral is still very much in play.

Bottom line: The flacks and hacks will cheer but the reality of the numbers is disastrous.

Posted by: DrewM at 06:32 AM | Comments (484)
Post contains 421 words, total size 3 kb.

1 the president is a scoamf/t

Posted by: phoenixgirl at work at December 11, 2013 06:33 AM (8v/hq)

2 Give the MSM a little credit. Going from 1 to 2 really is a surge.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 06:34 AM (nsOJa)

3 How many people are holding off, waiting for the 2014 elections and hoping this nightmare will end in a year?

Posted by: RS at December 11, 2013 06:35 AM (YAGV/)

4 If you like your death spiral, you can keep your death spiral.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 11, 2013 06:35 AM (0FSuD)

5 So most of the sign-up are the FSA getting free healthcare from the beleaguered taxpayers.

But we need some more income equality. These communists will not be satisfied until we are 1950s USSR.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at December 11, 2013 06:35 AM (T2V/1)

6 Bet that those 364K people are all old folks that have pre-existing conditions. I wonder what the line is in Vegas for that?

Posted by: Roy at December 11, 2013 06:36 AM (VndSC)

7 There's not demographics because the left wants to turn that to the new meme "it's not about the raw numbers it's about the number of young!" See BenK's first link this morning in the dump. But we have a fairly good idea (based on polling) that the demographics are really shitty. Stack that with basic human nature (the young healthy aren't going to try to get insurance for hours with bugs for example) and you have a recipe for obvious disaster. But to leftists the story is what matters, not the facts, so they're hiding the facts in favor of a story.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 06:36 AM (GaqMa)

8 365,000 of those people have purchased private insurance and 803,000 have been determined to be eligible for the public Medicaid program.

Ponder that ratio for a moment.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 06:36 AM (nsOJa)

9 After seeing what Ryan has done can we doubt the GOP will make a Grand Bargain to save ObamaCare?

Posted by: eman at December 11, 2013 06:37 AM (AO9UG)

10 After the holidays, shit is going to get real. I still think they will surrender and post pone for a year. They will have no choice.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 11, 2013 06:37 AM (0FSuD)

11 They'll run with the big lie and hope the furor dies down.

Posted by: joncelli at December 11, 2013 06:37 AM (RD7QR)

But Mike Barnical proudly proclaimed this morning on Morning Joe that Obamacare was working! And Mike agreed

I just bring this up in case you were wondering who the media dead enders were.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 06:38 AM (GnFWd)

13 8 365,000 of those people have purchased private insurance and 803,000 have been determined to be eligible for the public Medicaid program.

Ponder that ratio for a moment.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 10:36 AM (nsOJa)

Medicaid = stealth single payer.

Posted by: joncelli at December 11, 2013 06:38 AM (RD7QR)

14 There should be a law against showing Henry Waxman(D-Pig) that early in the morning while I am still sipping coffee. Almost choked

Posted by: Ma Bell at December 11, 2013 06:39 AM (RLdcX)

15 Ponder that ratio for a moment.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 10:36 AM (nsOJa)

To make it conversational, let's call it 2:1. That's about what I expected. For every person paying their own way, there are two leeching off of that same individual.

Math is hard. And racist. Racist hard.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider at December 11, 2013 06:39 AM (fwARV)

16 I will have nothing to do with this garbage until a gun is put to my head.

Own it, Evil Party. It all is Y-O-U-R-S....

Posted by: backhoe at December 11, 2013 06:39 AM (ULH4o)

17 Considering the retard-in-chief and his minions are running around like squirrels on a wheel, they likely have overlooked the teeny detail: Young people are not signing up or buying insurance. You know, all those suckers that HAVE to do that otherwise OBAMAcare goes down in flames, no matter how much asshole spin they give it.
Not even near enough schadenfraude yet.......

Posted by: KenH at December 11, 2013 06:39 AM (Q/K7q)

18 14 There should be a law against ~~showing~~ Henry Waxman(D-Pig) FIFY.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 11, 2013 06:40 AM (0FSuD)

Wonder how many of those actually paying are young and also what the average subsidy is?

I am willing to bet that the percentage paying full freight is less than 5%.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 06:41 AM (GnFWd)

20 @10 A postponement does nothing. The health care delivery system has been destroyed. It will take a year or more to get back to where we were.

Posted by: RS at December 11, 2013 06:41 AM (YAGV/)

21 Anyone know the average cost/person for medicaid?

Because I can make an educated guess, and it equals insolvency.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 06:41 AM (oJ5Fd)

22 Fuck Science!

Posted by: Fonics Monkey at December 11, 2013 06:42 AM (bUmSq)

23 Give the MSM a little credit. Going from 1 to 2 really is a surge.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 10:34 AM (nsOJa)

MSM: "OMG! That's a 100% increase in enrollments!!!!"

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 06:42 AM (GQ8sn)

24 Watch for EBT card systems to mysteriously malfunction next year. All of it will be orchestrated by Democrats in order to panic Republicans. It worked well in the Shutdown.

Posted by: eman at December 11, 2013 06:42 AM (AO9UG)

25 8 365,000 of those people have purchased private insurance and 803,000 have been determined to be eligible for the public Medicaid program. Ponder that ratio for a moment. --- I'm just thinking of this... at least 5 million have lost their insurance and only 1,168,000 have bought insurance through the exchanges. My math may be wrong, but that's about 500% MORE people have LOST insurance than have gotten it through the exchange. Take out the Medicare people and that percentage goes closer to about 1400%. I can't wait until they start talking up how many millions of people didn't have insurance before OCare but have it now... All the throwing up I'll do will sure help me lose weight.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 06:43 AM (/Crba)

26 For every person paying their own way, there are two leeching off of that same individual.

Worse than that, we assume that some of those "paying" are actually subsidized, at least partially.

I'd like to know the ratio of the total amount being paid to the amount free plus the portion subsidized.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 06:43 AM (nsOJa)

And Drew, I shared your post with one of the brain dead liberals at the coffeehouse. She says your a liar and undermining the President.

Your work is done.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 06:44 AM (GnFWd)

28 Drew, can I add another point that I think you skipped over. The HHS press release said that 300k + "enrolled" in private insurance. Recall that the definition of enrolled is tricky to understand. Does it mean the customer has paid for the insurance, or does it simply mean that they have selected a plan? It's unclear. The amount of people with actual insurance, then, could be significantly less than the 300k + figure. On allahpundit's twitter he links to a source that says only 5-10% of people who have selected a plan have actually paid for it. I think that might be a little low, but it still undercuts the 300k figure.

Posted by: fe at December 11, 2013 06:45 AM (oXkIm)

29 I'd like to know the ratio of the total amount being paid to the amount free plus the portion subsidized. Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 10:43 AM (nsOJa) You'll throw up.

Posted by: eman at December 11, 2013 06:45 AM (AO9UG)

30 7 There's not demographics because the left wants to turn that to the new meme "it's not about the raw numbers it's about the number of young!"

See BenK's first link this morning in the dump.

But we have a fairly good idea (based on polling) that the demographics are really shitty. Stack that with basic human nature (the young healthy aren't going to try to get insurance for hours with bugs for example) and you have a recipe for obvious disaster.

But to leftists the story is what matters, not the facts, so they're hiding the facts in favor of a story. Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really!

"Figures don't lie, but liars do figure...."
You can't make the numbers add up. No way.

Posted by: backhoe at December 11, 2013 06:45 AM (ULH4o)

31 27
And Drew, I shared your post with one of the brain dead liberals at the coffeehouse. She says your a liar and undermining the President.

Your work is done.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 10:44 AM (GnFWd)

Drew: Wrecker and Kulak. Job well done.

Posted by: joncelli at December 11, 2013 06:45 AM (RD7QR)

32 Posted by: Mallamutt

Oh shit, that made me laugh.

Posted by: dogfish at December 11, 2013 06:46 AM (nsOJa)

33 I was writing this comment to "is coverage dying down about Obamacare cause people are just getting used to the suck". As usual, I'm my usual long-winded self and there was a new post but I'm putting it here anyway since the topic is Shitcare:

They're covering up the stories of people being boned. I know because I search every day for said stories. They're on pure Journolist mode now. Ezra Klein, who was a little critical at roll-out, is now in full propaganda mode. Their latest was "This is just like Medicare Part D!". Saw it everywhere. The comments on the stories are another matter. They are almost all negative.

Whether they can keep doing this (oh, they will try), is anybody's guess. What I've found out lately about the Tiers for doctors, treatment and especially meds is real bad. If you choose the Basic plan, Tier 1 and is says generics are covered with $10 co-pay, you're basically boned. With Independence Blue Cross out of Philly at least 85% of the generics are Tier 2 so No Coverage. Since there's no coverage, they don't apply to your deductible. That generic antibiotic for you kid - too bad.

Then there's the issue of Tier 1 not having and Childrens' hospitals. Plus the $200/co pay per month per drug for name brand drugs under the Gold Plan.

Again, it's a matter of covering it up. I think most of the journalists know how bad this is. One day last week the NYT ran a piece on the front page saying, "All is Well" but deep inside was a piece about high deductibles & co-pays.

I was contacted last week by a reporter on the NYT because he saw my tweets but I scared him off with my horror story because it wasn't used. He was very nice though - he actually opened up the Blue Cross website and tried to find me a plan! Like I haven't spent days on the site already. But see Journolisters soooo want this to work, because he's their boyfriend, right. Same thing happened to me when a Yahoo reporter contacted. He did use me in the story but argued that I had a "crap" plan from a "bad apple" insurer. He also made "helpful" suggestions for my coverage.

Even I am stunned by this so-called journalism. I'm used to them twisting things but when have they start making "suggestions" to make something they're reporting on work? OK if I'm drowning in Katrina but health plans? Why the hell do they think they have any right to think they know what's best for my family?

Sorry, long-winded & rage-filled. Wish I had MWR or the Queen's abilities to express myself.

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 06:46 AM (2LJqa)

34 Drew said "The are simply redistributing health insurance from those who paid for it to those who didn't. This is a victory in their minds"

Absolutely. Well spoken.

Posted by: Uriah Heep at December 11, 2013 06:47 AM (jhI6f)

35 O/T Don't you think it is funny that the NY Slime is running a story about Obama rebounding in the polls while 50% still say they disapprove of him? http://tinyurl.com/q4aokvy Funny the only poll that has him that close? The Slime. Check out this poll, FOUR points difference, gee wonder how that happened? http://tinyurl.com/o7djon6

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 11, 2013 06:47 AM (0FSuD)

36 And Drew, I shared your post with one of the brain dead liberals at
the coffeehouse. She says your a liar and undermining the President.

Your work is done.

Mission Accomplished!

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 06:47 AM (GQ8sn)

37 Drew, you pretend like that 1.2 million number isn't an outright lie. I'll bet my dying breath that it is an absolute lie. 'Determined to be eligible' is not the same as actually obtaining, but I'd bet that both the 365K and 803K numbers are completely made up.

Posted by: blindside at December 11, 2013 06:47 AM (WzWmY)

38 "Although enrollment will surely miss the mark for this year, HHS officials said they remain confident they will reach their ultimate goal." Well, their ultimate goal seems to be to collapse the insurance industry to force single payer... So their confidence is probably well placed.

Posted by: Secundus at December 11, 2013 06:47 AM (RxMk3)

39 An insurance policy is a contract. So, it doesn't exist until payment is made.

Posted by: eman at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (AO9UG)

40 An insurance policy is a contract. So, it doesn't exist until payment is made.

Posted by: eman at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (AO9UG)

41 We'd have zillions signed up by now if it wasn't for you wingnut h8ters putting obstacles in the way of Dear Leader's initiative!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (f9c2L)

42 We'd have zillions signed up by now if it wasn't for you wingnut h8ters putting obstacles in the way of Dear Leader's initiative!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (f9c2L)

43 Moving goalposts: It's what they do.....

Posted by: Tex Lovera at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (wtvvX)

44 Moving goalposts: It's what they do.....

Posted by: Tex Lovera at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (wtvvX)

45 It was easier in our day. We point a gun at you, you pay your protection money. No website. 100% of our customers had coverage.

Posted by: The Mafia at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (FcR7P)

46 It was easier in our day. We point a gun at you, you pay your protection money. No website. 100% of our customers had coverage.

Posted by: The Mafia at December 11, 2013 06:48 AM (FcR7P)

47 Why should we consider it a success that 803,000 new people are on the dole? I mean, I'm sure they're happy that they have someone to pay their medical bills, but that doesn't auger well for the solvency of the Republic.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at December 11, 2013 06:49 AM (xN1DB)

48 Why should we consider it a success that 803,000 new people are on the dole? I mean, I'm sure they're happy that they have someone to pay their medical bills, but that doesn't auger well for the solvency of the Republic.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at December 11, 2013 06:49 AM (xN1DB)

49 I used to be a contender.

Posted by: Death Cascade at December 11, 2013 06:49 AM (BrQrN)

50 I used to be a contender.

Posted by: Death Cascade at December 11, 2013 06:49 AM (BrQrN)

51 Deep underground in a secret facility, the gubmint is furiously installing new improved MkII Turd Polishers to keep up with demand.

Which puts a whole new spin on fetching shineboxes, don't it?

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 11, 2013 06:50 AM (wNF3N)

52 Deep underground in a secret facility, the gubmint is furiously installing new improved MkII Turd Polishers to keep up with demand.

Which puts a whole new spin on fetching shineboxes, don't it?

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 11, 2013 06:50 AM (wNF3N)

53 The health care delivery system has been destroyed.

I've been watching the DailyJobCuts site regularly for the past year or so. There's been a huge number of layoffs at hospitals, device manufacturers, and in medical services.

Obamacare induced sector contraction and hunkering down has been going on for quite a while now. Even in retiree heavy south FL, I've seen nursing and other med-tech job listing starting to decline.

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/s] at December 11, 2013 06:50 AM (UVadJ)

54 The health care delivery system has been destroyed.

I've been watching the DailyJobCuts site regularly for the past year or so. There's been a huge number of layoffs at hospitals, device manufacturers, and in medical services.

Obamacare induced sector contraction and hunkering down has been going on for quite a while now. Even in retiree heavy south FL, I've seen nursing and other med-tech job listing starting to decline.

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/s] at December 11, 2013 06:50 AM (UVadJ)

55 "Just about 1.2 million people have gained health coverage through Obamacare, according to new federal data released Wednesday morning."

Raise your hand if you believe that number... whatever it is. Because the Obama Administration has been so honest and forthcoming.

Tihs. Llub.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at December 11, 2013 06:51 AM (eHIJJ)

56 "Approximately 365,000 of those people have purchased private insurance"

---------

Of course, there's no word on how many of those people are (a) paying full freight, and/or (b) healthy. If these "purchases" are heavily subsidized - and even if they're not, and the newly insured will consume more in health care than they pay in premiums - that doesn't keep the system solvent.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at December 11, 2013 06:51 AM (xN1DB)

57 @46 Purp We're going to see the classic socialist paradigm: Everyone has access to _____, except _______ is nowhere to be found, except on the black market. Fill in the blanks with "health care."

Posted by: RS at December 11, 2013 06:52 AM (YAGV/)

58 You can see the media spin is working. His numbers are heading back up (according to the helpful polling folks). This empty suit is way more popular than Bush was ( a man of actual integrity). What is the reason the Repubs are not out there banging the drum telling the truth?

Posted by: AnnaS at December 11, 2013 06:52 AM (UN0/t)

59 Have a heart, you heartless haters. The fantastic news is that almost 1 million people will start receiving free - free! - healthcare under Medicaid! What is that you say? Doesn't someone have to pay for the medical services rendered? O ye of little faith. Trust in Lord Obama.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chick) at December 11, 2013 06:52 AM (r+7wo)

60 I don't believe it. You'd be a chump to pay fir that product at those rates. I suspect they are counting folks who simply selected plans to see how much they'd cost and if they got subsidies. GOP congress should demand a detailed database. ps - imma still banned on my work PC, 173.226.71.34

Posted by: Serious Cat at December 11, 2013 06:52 AM (X0j4A)

61 26 Worse than that, we assume that some of those "paying" are actually subsidized, at least partially.

"some" -> "many" according to the Sunday morning talking heads. Whenever someone asks a Democrat shill about the increased premiums, they *always* say "but many of those will get subsidies".

I continue to be annoyed that the host never leaps across the table, grabs the shill by the collar, shakes vigorously, and screams "BUT WHERE IS THE MONEY FOR THE SUBSIDIES COMING FROM????"

Posted by: Anachronda at December 11, 2013 06:52 AM (U82Km)

62 I'll bet my dying breath that it is an absolute lie. 'Determined to be eligible' is not the same as actually obtaining, but I'd bet that both the 365K and 803K numbers are completely made up. --- Think of it this way... If this is what they're admitting to, that's the high end of what it probably is. The reality may be that this is all the policies which are in the cart, NOT ones that are supposedly purchased.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 06:53 AM (/Crba)

63 The vast majority of those that actually sign up, if they don't have a pre-existing condition will be those eligible for a subsidy (i.e. poor which more often than not means minority) since that is the only way it is affordable. That will make it all the harder to kill since it will be deemed racist to kill this monstrosity. There could even be lawsuits to prevent it being abolished due to that wonderful legal concept of disparate impact. This is going to get uglier by the day. Thus progs love for it, even as it fails before their eyes.

Posted by: George Orwell at December 11, 2013 06:53 AM (Vv4Go)

64 Obama's entire presidency has been a disaster,unless you hate the USA and want it destroyed as a superpower.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 06:54 AM (zqvg6)

65 Remember this? It takes on new meaning when juxtaposed against "If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor. Period."

Â“DonÂ’t tell me words donÂ’t matter,Â” Mr. Obama said, to applause. Â“ Â‘I have a dreamÂ’ Â— just words? Â‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equalÂ’ Â— just words? Â‘We have nothing to fear but fear itselfÂ’ Â— just words? Just speeches?Â”

Posted by: elliot m at December 11, 2013 06:54 AM (vPhnb)

And why am I stuck in the coffeehouse? Because I had an early off site work meeting and I dropped my car off for an oil change and it isn't done yet.

The staff wants me to leave. Probably has something to do with taunting the cashier about her sociology degree and the fact that when one of the work idiots suggested we set the office temperature to 68 to "save the environment" I exploded with some really creative uses of the word "fuck".

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 06:55 AM (GnFWd)

67 Oh, yeah. And Sebelius was questioned about how many of those 396,000ish had paid.

Would have been more interesting if she had been asked "and how many of those 396,000ish have had their information forwarded to an insurance company? and of those, for how many was the information accurate?"

Posted by: Anachronda at December 11, 2013 06:56 AM (U82Km)

68 Posted by: Purp at December 11, 2013 10:50 AM (UVadJ)

Not surprising in the context of the government reimbursement model.

All of those jobs supported by private insurance payment schedules are going to go away under the draconian cuts that are required for government single-payer.

And a fair number of those jobs are one step above entry-level. So the people entering the job market are skilled in only one thing....something that just went away.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 06:56 AM (oJ5Fd)

69 If you people would just let me have my Death Panel, I'd take care of some of those 800 thousand for you. No extra charge.

Posted by: jwest at December 11, 2013 06:56 AM (u2a4R)

70 The staff wants me to leave. Probably has something to do with taunting the cashier about her sociology degree and the fact that when one of the work idiots suggested we set the office temperature to 68 to "save the environment" I exploded with some really creative uses of the word "fuck".

Should have said if they really wanted to save the environment they should turn off all the power to their coffeehouse and go old school coffeepot and fireplace.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 06:57 AM (GQ8sn)

71 Those invincibles won't be laughing when they're on the wrong side of the wire in the FEMA camps.

Posted by: torabora at December 11, 2013 06:57 AM (WLbax)

72 56 Obama's entire presidency has been a disaster,unless you hate the USA and want it destroyed as a superpower. Posted by: steevy

Or just plain destroyed. All I see is economic devastation. Everywhere I go.

Posted by: backhoe at December 11, 2013 06:57 AM (ULH4o)

73 Should have said if they really wanted to save the environment they should turn off all the power to their coffeehouse and go old school coffeepot and fireplace.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 10:57 AM (GQ8sn)

But then they'd be raping Gaia by using firewood. They'll have to brew the coffee using the heat of their passionate environmentalism.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 06:58 AM (DrWcr)

74 @62. Usually I like to explain to them that if they kill themselves they will reduce their carbon footprint to zero.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 06:58 AM (GnFWd)

75 Of the 365,000 who signed up for private insurance, 364,999 plan on "paying" for their private insurance policies with the public's money (i.e., with taxpayer subsidies).

Posted by: Trivial Pursuer at December 11, 2013 06:58 AM (/sohm)

76 Here's our new plan. Figured out yesterday. We aren't signing up until at least March. My Husband doesn't have his next Rheum. visit scheduled until Feb. so he will be able to keep his meds until then at least, and will ask to go one round as a self pay patient until we can get it all sorted out. There's just no way we will have a plan by Dec. 23. There are too many variables that we have to evaluate and we can't do that because despite what Obama says, the site still doesn't work and without a functioning site comparing different pharmaceutical coverage is just impossible, and that's will be the bulk of our health needs going forward.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 06:58 AM (hFL/3)

77 The Progressives either: (1) believe that the younger adult cohort will act irrationally - against their best self-interests - and pay more for health insurance than the penalty, or (2) actually want the system to be financially unstable and topple over so they can establish a new stable equilibrium state via Single-Payer.

Because with the penalty being $90 or 1% of income, *no* young adult who is just starting out will pay even a $50/month premium when the deductible is $5,000. That is flat out irrational. You don't even need to sit through the first day of Econ100 to grasp that.

You don't need years of learning in Bayesian probability theory to really quickly come to the conclusion that spending any money on a monthly premium is wasted when you won't see a single dollar of insurance coverage until you've already spent a minimum of $5,050. For any kid whose prior health is good, unless you're planning on getting a colonoscopy and a CT scan, you'd be better off paying OOP.

Posted by: Uriah Heep at December 11, 2013 06:59 AM (jhI6f)

78 Flopping Aces has a good piece from a couple days ago about the death spiral on 404Care; in particular, about how few youngins are signing up:

http://tinyurl.com/osgdsbs

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 11, 2013 06:59 AM (wNF3N)

My question remains.

How many of these people were prevented from buying and obtaining insurance prior to the implementation of Obamacare?

My guess is its a single digit percentage.

Posted by: polynikes at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (m2CN7)

80 O ye of little faith. Trust in Lord Obama.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chick) at December 11, 2013 10:52 AM (r+7wo)

"for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him"

Posted by: The New York Times Editorial Board at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (oJ5Fd)

81 But then they'd be raping Gaia by using firewood. They'll have to brew the coffee using the heat of their passionate environmentalism. --- I move that hardcore environmentalists should be treated the way that Mr. Clark and Deng treated the environmentalist nutjobs in the original Rainbow Six novel... Dropped alone in the jungle, stripped naked, and told to "commune with nature".

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (/Crba)

82 and will ask to go one round as a self pay patient until we can get it all sorted out.

Yikes. I saw your "coupon" link.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (GQ8sn)

83 what are you guys talking about? Boom times, baby! Happy days are here again!

Posted by: Economic Devastation at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (0cMkb)

84 Did any part of Obamacare make it possible for those 800k to sign up for Medicare, or were they eligible all along? If they were eligible all along, then that's another lie.

Posted by: Jay in Ames at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (i2Lsf)

85 You shouldn't sock puppet a regular,even if he is an asshole.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 07:00 AM (zqvg6)

86 I move that hardcore environmentalists should be treated the way that Mr. Clark and Deng treated the environmentalist nutjobs in the original Rainbow Six novel...

Ding.

They checked back on them after a year and everything was quiet.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:01 AM (GQ8sn)

87 @76. Its the expanded program so, no, they were not eligible before.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 07:01 AM (GnFWd)

88 From $655/mo to $1,330/mo (could actually be more, a lot isn't finalized yet) with loads more restrictions. Oh, did I forget the $175/month subsidy but I get this ONLY if I sign up through Healthcare.gov and give my information to every hacker on the planet. Independence Blue Cross has given me only till 12/15/13 to make my decision. It's totes worth it, right? Right? Where do I sign?

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 07:01 AM (2LJqa)

89 If little Jane and John stay on their parent's policies until 26, what happens should they decide to marry?

What if they have been punished by Sasha and Malia's worst nightmare?

My guess is that the "Ghetto and Trailer Park" rulebook comes into effect and they stay single, with Baby Mamma's Mamma blessed with the burden.

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at December 11, 2013 07:02 AM (KQp38)

90 Would have been more interesting if she had been asked "and how many of those 396,000ish have had their information forwarded to an insurance company? and of those, for how many was the information accurate?" Posted by: Anachronda at December 11, 2013 10:56 AM (U82Km) More interesting is how many of those 396,000 are real people as opposed to paid JEF staffers just creating fake accounts.

Posted by: blindside at December 11, 2013 07:02 AM (WzWmY)

91 Economic Devastation said: Boom times, baby! Happy days are here again!

Green Shoots? Did someone say Green Shoots?

Posted by: Uriah Heep at December 11, 2013 07:02 AM (jhI6f)

92 Ding. --- Deng, Ding, dong... keep their motherfuckin' heads ringin'!

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:02 AM (/Crba)

93 The staff wants me to leave. Probably has something to do with taunting the cashier about her sociology degree and the fact that when one of the work idiots suggested we set the office temperature to 68 to "save the environment" I exploded with some really creative uses of the word "fuck".

And no pants.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 10:55 AM (GnFWd)

But mostly no pants.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 07:03 AM (oJ5Fd)

94 The staff wants me to leave. Probably has something to do with taunting
the cashier about her sociology degree and the fact that when one of
the work idiots suggested we set the office temperature to 68 to "save
the environment" I exploded with some really creative uses of the word
"fuck".

And no pants.

Posted by: Mallamutt, Stuck in a coffeeshop with brain dead liberals at December 11, 2013 10:55 AM (GnFWd)

But mostly no pants.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 11:03 AM (oJ5Fd)

Pants are for closers.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:03 AM (GQ8sn)

95 Have a heart, you heartless haters. The fantastic news is that almost 1 million people will start receiving free - free! - healthcare under Medicaid! ______________________ Uh, no, they'll receive a "free" Medicaid card, but that's not the same as receiving "health care." When they start calling doctors' offices and trying to get appointments, they'll quickly find out that very few doctors are willing to accept new Medicaid patients, due to the low government reimbursement rate. And the doctors who will see them are typically bottom-of-the-barrel types, or outright frauds. There is a reason why multiple studies have shown that people who have no health insurance typically have better healthcare outcomes than people who have Medicaid.

Posted by: Trivial Pursuer at December 11, 2013 07:03 AM (/sohm)

96 "It's totes worth it, right? Right? Where do I sign?" I know. It feels like we're at a bad used car lot. BUY NOW. RIGHT NOW. BUY. BUY. BUY!!!

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:04 AM (hFL/3)

97 Pants are for closers.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:03 AM (GQ8sn)

No pants are for Morons.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:04 AM (DrWcr)

98 Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 11:00 AM (zqvg6)

Except....that's not a sock....that IS the regular.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 07:05 AM (oJ5Fd)

99 When they start calling doctors' offices and trying to get appointments, they'll quickly find out that very few doctors are willing to accept new Medicaid patients, due to the low government reimbursement rate. And the doctors who will see them are typically bottom-of-the-barrel types, or outright frauds. --- The rate of this will be exponentially higher in Cali, if the reports that 70% of the doctors told the state to go fuck themselves if they expected them to take patients at the reimbursement rates which are even worse than the federal ones.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:05 AM (/Crba)

100 I like how they say, "gained" like previously uninsured ppl who really wanted insurance make up the total 300K+ who have "purchased." Not even considering that a certain amount of that number (and I'm betting it isn't insignificant) are ppl who have been kicked off insurance they had and forced into Ocare. I wouldn't call that "gained" Bob.

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 07:05 AM (euACX)

101 90 Seriously?What a sick fuck.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 07:06 AM (zqvg6)

102 So more than 2x as many people signed up for the single payor program than Obamacare? Is that about right?

Posted by: polynikes at December 11, 2013 07:06 AM (m2CN7)

103 Oh the $1,330/mo I quoted for myself is only if I don't get SICK, of course. I hadn't really taken getting sick into the equation. That price only takes me keeping my doctor, hospital and the 2 name brand drugs & 2 generics I take into consideration. I have no idea what it would cost me if I actually got sick, heaven forbid.

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 07:06 AM (2LJqa)

104 What a sick fuck.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 11:06 AM (zqvg6)

Yeah...welcome to the club.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 07:07 AM (oJ5Fd)

105 "Seriously?What a sick fuck." (said the humorless dick)

Posted by: jwest at December 11, 2013 07:07 AM (u2a4R)

106 "hen they start calling doctors' offices and trying to get appointments, they'll quickly find out that very few doctors are willing to accept new Medicaid patients" That's not restricted to just Medicaid patients. Those of us forced onto these crap exchange plans are facing the same fate. The most affordable plan offered in my area has one, ONE, rheumatologist in network. ONE. Awesome. Hope we like him. He does enjoy origami.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:07 AM (hFL/3)

107 Even people that normally don't "work the system" are going to start working the system (which may be a victory as well for liberals)

I own my own business, and my health insurance is set to increase by around 90% with a $5,500 deductible, and my whole family is in perfect health. If it goes up much more, I'm going to simply take my chances without health insurance, and if God forbid someone in my family comes down with something like cancer, I'll just sign up for health insurance after the fact.

You're going to see entire swaths of the population doing the same thing, especially young people. What healthy person is going to shovel $1,000 a month for their health insurance when the fine for not having it is $60 a year?

If you're young and healthy, would you rather have your own house or insurance for something like brain cancer?

It's going to collapse, I just hope Republicans can maximize their advantage for the fallout.

Posted by: McAdams at December 11, 2013 07:09 AM (2TMCu)

108 Lauren,

How long does "one round" of treatment last your husband?

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:09 AM (GQ8sn)

109 I just hope Republicans can maximize their advantage for the fallout.

Posted by: McAdams at December 11, 2013 11:09 AM (2TMCu)

You are joking....right?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 07:10 AM (oJ5Fd)

110 Obamacare could be a booming success if they only had good teachers.

Posted by: RWC at December 11, 2013 07:10 AM (fWAjv)

111 Gaylord better call Steiner. The Iranians have a second axis of attack inside his administration - John Kerry.

Kerry's daughter is married to an Iranian-American who has ties back to Iran.

From The Daily Caller - http://tinyurl.com/bquz3p6

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:10 AM (JdUCt)

112 76 >> Did any part of Obamacare make it possible for those 800k to sign up for Medicare, or were they eligible all along?

As I understand it, the expanded Medicaid income brackets only occurred in states that agreed to set up their own exchanges; in fact the SC ruled that states couldn't be forced to expand Medicaid as part the ruling on "it's a tax".

So if these new Medicaiders are coming through the federal exchange, they were already eligible income wise. For the 14 states with their own exchanges, they are getting a good chunk of previously ineligible. The feds promise to pick up 100% of the increased costs to states with exchanges for 3 years, then 90% after that.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 11, 2013 07:10 AM (wNF3N)

113 That's not restricted to just Medicaid patients. Those of us forced onto these crap exchange plans are facing the same fate. The most affordable plan offered in my area has one, ONE, rheumatologist in network. ONE.

Awesome. Hope we like him. He does enjoy origami.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 11:07 AM (hFL/3)

This frightens me as well. I have an autoimmune disorder that I take a biologic for. It's covered by the insurance I have through my employer. However, if Obamacare is still around and the employer mandate kicks in, I don't know if I'll still have my plan. I sure as hell couldn't afford the medication out of pocket.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:11 AM (DrWcr)

114 Based on my wide and varied life's experience, the performance of the Affordable Care Act is nothing short of miraculous.

Posted by: Matty Yglesias at December 11, 2013 07:11 AM (OZmbA)

115

Most of the morons have scheduled dates with Kate Upton. How many actually GO on a date with her is still TBD.

Posted by: Roy at December 11, 2013 07:12 AM (VndSC)

116 Based on my wide and varied life's experience, the performance of the Affordable Care Act is nothing short of miraculous.

Posted by: Matty Yglesias at December 11, 2013 11:11 AM (OZmbA)

I know it's just a sock, but fuck you Yglesias, sideways, with a barbed-wire-wrapped pineapple.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:12 AM (DrWcr)

117 >>365,000 of those people have purchased private insurance and 803,000
have been determined to be eligible for the public Medicaid program.

That should be *forced* onto Medicaid. The site automatically enrolls people it determines to be qualified to receive it; no choice. And they've already found that the site just happens to have determined people qualify (and enrolled them) when they don't. It's a trap.

But don't worry, the states can go after Medicaid recipients estate when they die thanks to the Medicaid Recovery Act of 1993. Redistribution of wealth, baby!

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2013 07:13 AM (JRmiD)

118 The magic smoke pouring out of American Socialism is something to behold. Everything they've touched is breaking down into a deranged, corrosive mess. Education, private-sector unions, "green" way energy, foreign policy, health care industry. Everything. The president, his cronies, the MSM just can't lie big enough, fast enough, bold enough to push the whole toxic pile out of sight. That Harsanyi piece linked below by BenK is just typical of how bankrupt the Socialist Dream is today. The bastards have to appropriate our heroes for their own redemption.

Posted by: mrp at December 11, 2013 07:13 AM (HjPtV)

119 Insomniac, don't forget to coat the pineapple in flesh eating bacteria.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:13 AM (JdUCt)

120 Most of the morons have scheduled dates with Kate Upton. How many actually GO on a date with her is still TBD.

Posted by: Roy at December 11, 2013 11:12 AM (VndSC)

Question: does spending a night with a picture of her taped to a pillow count as a "date"?

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:13 AM (GQ8sn)

121 Did any part of Obamacare make it possible for those 800k to sign up for Medicare, or were they eligible all along?

There was a provision for states to expand eligibility. Need more information about the 800k to know if that's how they got signed up, though (maybe they qualified previously but preferred their catestrophic account).

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at December 11, 2013 07:13 AM (ZKzrr)

122 112 That's a selfie.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 07:14 AM (zqvg6)

123 Drudge:

Boehner is pissed at conservatives who oppose the budget deal.

"This is ridiculous!!!"

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:15 AM (GQ8sn)

124 Insomniac, don't forget to coat the pineapple in flesh eating bacteria.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 11:13 AM (JdUCt)

Right, right...I'll remember that for next time.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:15 AM (DrWcr)

125 ONLY if I sign up through Healthcare.gov and give my information to every hacker on the planet. My friends, you don't have to be afraid of every hacker on the planet.

Posted by: Prince Isa Ahmed [/i] at December 11, 2013 07:15 AM (UKwPZ)

126 >>There was a provision for states to expand eligibility. Need more information about the 800k to know if that's how they got signed up, though (maybe they qualified previously but preferred their catestrophic account).

Obamacare ditched the Medicaid limits on one's assets when determining eligibility, so it has expanded the number of people who are now eligible.

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2013 07:15 AM (JRmiD)

127 "How long does "one round" of treatment last your husband?" A month. That's why we're shooting for having insurance by March. We feel like such deadbeats, but the decision is too important and potentially hugely expensive to just buy something that may end up costing us tens of thousands of dollars. Apparently one of the things that the exchange plans are doing is making some drugs available as "specialty pharmacy" drugs. All the biologics fall into this category. Those drugs all have a 30% co-pay and don't count towards the deductible or yearly limit. So, $3000/month forever if we went that way unless the drug companies subsidize us which is what I am now trying to figure out.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:15 AM (hFL/3)

128 I'll bet about 80% of the enrollers are 'takers' or the pre-existing conditions crowd. Blowing up Medicaid will put this craptastic failure way over the proposed 1 trillion price tag. The young who are supposed to carry it aren't going to pay for this shit instead of the newest phone or iPad.

Posted by: Schwalbe: The Me-262© at December 11, 2013 07:16 AM (9Bdcz)

129 Has anyone actually bought insurance through the exchanges yet? I mean actually applied, was accepted and paid for it, you know, what "bought" means in the real world.

Posted by: forest at December 11, 2013 07:16 AM (stMuz)

130 Yay Obamacare!!! Yaaaaaaay! Its soooo awesome!

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 07:18 AM (waJ+2)

131 Wow. Someone kidnapped me and put a Matty Yglesias sock on my head. I woke up in an alley and I appeared to have been raped with a barbed wire wrapped pineapple.

Posted by: Sphynx at December 11, 2013 07:18 AM (OZmbA)

132 " However, if Obamacare is still around and the employer mandate kicks in, I don't know if I'll still have my plan. I sure as hell couldn't afford the medication out of pocket." Insomniac, praying like crazy that the law gets kicked to the curb so you don't have to find out. We were actually on an employer plan too, but I guess my husband's employer decided to jump out of the insurance market early. Yay.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:18 AM (hFL/3)

133 "I woke up in an alley and I appeared to have been raped with a barbed wire wrapped pineapple." Don't you just hate it when that happens?

Posted by: jwest at December 11, 2013 07:19 AM (u2a4R)

134 So, $3000/month forever if we went that way unless the drug companies subsidize us which is what I am now trying to figure out.

Was that the case before o-care? The 30% co-pay was not counted toward your deductible or out-of-pocket?

Have you called Amgen/Pfizer directly to ask if they can help you?

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:19 AM (GQ8sn)

135 Well if the MarxSpewMedia is going a lie too far and discrediting themselves that would be a silver lining to this storm hitting the middle class. But I've given up on hoping that people will wake up and tar and feather the media.

Posted by: PaleRider at December 11, 2013 07:20 AM (ql12X)

136 And there's no way my husband will be able to get insurance by Jan. 1 so yaaaaaaay!!!

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 07:20 AM (waJ+2)

137 I bought it and even though more expensive then my previous health insurance. I am proud to say I am supporting my black president and the country as a whole. What have you done to support America and our black president? Nothing, just racist snipe shots at the best man to serve as President !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Chrissy Liebowitz at December 11, 2013 07:20 AM (iB0Q2)

138 Regarding the 5M & 1.2M numbers: Does anyone happen to know whether they are talking policies or covered individuals? The article does not really specify. I would not put it past these liars to compare 5M lost policies against 1.2M covered people through Obamacare so as to understate the real impact.

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 11, 2013 07:20 AM (V3kRK)

139 And pineapples are not covered under any level of plan in 404Care except the Richard Gere level.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:20 AM (JdUCt)

140 Obamacare ditched the Medicaid limits on one's assets when determining eligibility

So wealthy people can collect welfare, but the rest of us have our income confiscated so we can never accrue wealth.

Yeah, makes sense.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at December 11, 2013 07:20 AM (ZKzrr)

141 This is totally OT, but funny as hell: http://youtu.be/k6rL_70J3SA

Posted by: Ma Bell at December 11, 2013 07:21 AM (RLdcX)

142 OT - turns out the 7 billion Iran will be getting with sanction relief is, get this, a lie. 20 billion. over at WZ

Posted by: RWC at December 11, 2013 07:21 AM (fWAjv)

143 Sen. Bernie Sanders (Socialist-VT) is trying to get a bill pushed through to establish single-payer. While he may want to get this vote on the record, I think I can hear the assholes of Landrieu, Pryor, Begich, and many other Dems in the Senate clenching up as I read this.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:22 AM (/Crba)

144 Here's our new plan. Figured out yesterday. We aren't signing up until at least March. My Husband doesn't have his next Rheum. visit scheduled until Feb. so he will be able to keep his meds until then at least, and will ask to go one round as a self pay patient until we can get it all sorted out. Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 10:58 AM (hFL/3)

Examine all your prescriptions, fill any that you can for 90 days before 12/31/13. Many plans prefer you to do this because it's cheaper. If you get any meds by mail, go online and schedule your refills so you do not forget in all the holiday hustle and bustle. Get a flu and pneumonia shot. Do everything you can before 12/31/13 and the plan changes kick in for 2014. Even for those of you that have insurance, this makes sense. I am doing it.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 07:22 AM (kXoT0)

145 In other words, at astronomical expense to the taxpayers and tremendous incovenience to all involved, this new "Obamacare" thing has caused a net LOSS of insurance coverage.

Hoo-ray!

Posted by: looking closely at December 11, 2013 07:22 AM (TZsWx)

146 I am one of the 'canceled'. I am 55 and self employed.

Regence Blue Shield canceled my existing plan and offered to replace it with a more expensive plan with a higher deductible.

Regence Blue Shield is not participating in the exchange.

I am not eligible for a subsidy but the plan offered by Regence is in my opinion 'Better Value for Money'.

I never met the $2500 deductable I had...so meeting the 5,000 deductable is unlikely.

I am the guy that makes insurance works...I pay high rates for my age but I don't consume a lot of health care services.

The fact that I haven't enrolled in the exchanges is what will make exchange policies unacceptable in the end.

We can reasonably postulate that people with chronic health problems will suffer income loss and as a result be more likely to qualify for a subsidized plan thru the exchange.

That means exchange plans are more likely to adverse select then non-exchange plans of equal quality...so for healthy people that don't qualify for subsidy...regardless of age...buying 'off exchange' is going to be a better deal long term.

There are a whole host of negative lifestyle choices that tend to go with having a 'smaller income'...from smoking to obesity. Nanny Bloomberg didn't want to ban Big Gulps because he was worried Wall Street Bankers might be drinking them and end up on the cities health care tab. He wanted to ban them because the cities poor were buying them and ending up pushing up the city's health care costs.

The leftards have truly shot themselves in the foot by only offering subsidies thru your state or federal 'leftard' co-op exchange.

Healthy people who don't qualify for subsidy will all be running to 'private insurers' offering insurance 'off exchange'.

Posted by: harrywr2 at December 11, 2013 07:23 AM (fDMbO)

147 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 11, 2013 10:41 AM (oJ5Fd) The man wants numbers, the wonk abides: Medicaid cost per person: Just over $4k/year for a non-disabled person. (I'm a lazy wonk, so I don't remember if that's "nondisabled adult" or "Nondisabled: ALL (includes children.) ) That's cost to the government BTW. I'm being conversational (read: lazy) so let's call it $4k rather than the real number which is like $4,321 (Totally made up, I just remember it being in the 4's.) Soo, the federal government isn't paying full freight for anyone who was already eligible for Medicaid prior to the expansion (but just not signed up.) Let's be generous and say that's 50%. Makes the math easy. Call the "full freight" number 400k. Do some quick math, 400k by 4k that's $1,600,000,000. For those playing along at home, that's $1.6 billion. BAM, just like that. And those other 400k I didn't count, they add to the both state and federal deficits (the feds will pay the normal Medicaid rate, just not the expanded full cost pick up one.) By the by, 4k/person is absurdly high. I have no idea what drives those numbers up that high. Consider I'm on Crestor a name brand statin, and my yearly medical costs in any given year is well below that. ($3k? MAYBE, if you paid full MSRP for the meds, which doesn't happen in reality it's probably closer to $1500.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 07:24 AM (GaqMa)

148 Insomniac, praying like crazy that the law gets kicked to the curb so you don't have to find out. We were actually on an employer plan too, but I guess my husband's employer decided to jump out of the insurance market early. Yay.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 11:18 AM (hFL/3)

Thanks Lauren. I am really very sorry about your situation. All good thoughts your way.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:24 AM (DrWcr)

149 Lauren, the exchanges have all sorts of goodies wrapped up inside them. Inability to get MRIs, etc. are probably already built in.

And I just read on National Review that Sen. Ron Johnson, although he says he wants to repeal Obamacare, thinks the exchanges are "usuable".

I almost stroked out. The exchanges are all about standardizing and restricting care based on the Federal government's say so.

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 07:24 AM (2LJqa)

150 O/T - Two people who made no sense at the memorial:

http://tinyurl.com/khufdqr (myway.com)

Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter who also watched the broadcast, said in a telephone interview that the man on stage purporting to sign was an embarrassment.

"It was horrible, an absolute circus, really really bad," she said. "Only he can understand those gestures."

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at December 11, 2013 07:25 AM (KQp38)

151 365,000 people who MAY buy insurance.

803,000 who WILL have their insurance paid for by me and you.

I don't care if all 365,000 of those are 27 year-old, college grads pulling down 6+ figures--math don't fucking care. There is no way those possibly paying can support those definitely not.

Remember #35 from yesterday's DOOM? $3.7 TRILLION spent on welfare in the last five years.
Ryan will spend another trillion next year and for who-knows-how-many years after that.

Let's just say for shits and giggles the US stops cold turkey in 2 year, at $6.7 Trillion. We couldn't pay that back if 100% of all employed men and women were taxed at 100%.

117 million full-time employed in October divided into that is about $58,000--more than the median annual income.

Think about that: In just the last five years alone, if you have a job, $31,624 has been given to people who don't work--with $19,000 of that borrowed from China on your credit!

Posted by: RoyalOil at December 11, 2013 07:26 AM (VjL9S)

152 OT: Uh oh, looks like Barky wasn't the only one trying to make time at the funeral.

http://tinyurl.com/ml2awk9

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 07:26 AM (XUKZU)

153 "usuable". --- "Usable"? or "Usurable"? "Usable" would be a joke. "Usurable", with the base word "usury", would refer to "unethical or immoral monetary loans".

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:26 AM (/Crba)

154 Slightly OT : has anyone heard about controlled substance prescriptions being regulated differently because of the ACA? I went to fill a prescription yesterday and just about fell over when they told me the price----it was more than $100 higher than it had been in October. The lady at the pharmacy said it had something to do with O-care?

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at December 11, 2013 07:27 AM (wiDhi)

155 >>So wealthy people can collect welfare, but the rest of us have our income confiscated so we can never accrue wealth. Yeah, makes sense.

I think this has two benefits for Obama in his push for single-payer and redistribution of wealth.

First, it increases the Medicaid rolls. Again, the site automatically signs these people up - they aren't given a choice to purchase a plan, and I bet a lot of them don't want the hand-out if they don't need it given how much Medicaid sucks.

Second, it puts their assets in the sights of states who will be desperately looking to make up their Medicaid losses after the federal money dries up in a few years. Any Medicaid funds received after they turn 55 are eligible for recovery by the state (each state decides what kinds of expenses they will go after).

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2013 07:27 AM (JRmiD)

156 143 So basically it was Cosmo Kramer up there?

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 07:28 AM (zqvg6)

157 So did that sign language guy at the Mandela memorial go to the Dan Rather School of Sign Language - Fake but Accurate in 30 days?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:28 AM (JdUCt)

158 Guaranteed that most of those folks "enrolled" have no coverage. Even with the "wild assed guess" method of APTC payment calculation....lmfao. Folks are going to choose between Christmas and health insurance. Guess which way the FSA is gonna go? Oh, the stories I could tell from deep within the bowels of a state exchange...lol They're starting to come out, but I assure everyone - the best is yet to come.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at December 11, 2013 07:28 AM (1Sw7Y)

159

>>>The leftards have truly shot themselves in the foot by only offering subsidies thru your state or federal 'leftard' co-op exchange. <<<

From what I understand, subsidies are only authorized on state exchanges under the law and not the Federal one, so they are breaking it (ha ha). This may be the last straw when it hits the courts.

Posted by: Roy at December 11, 2013 07:28 AM (VndSC)

160 Have you called Amgen/Pfizer directly to ask if they can help you? That's the plan for today actually. We're just starting down the path of biologics so we haven't had experience dealing with them. My husband's just so lucky that he ran the course of Methotrexate jusssst long enough so he is slated to start the Enbrel right after we lose our insurance. The plan is to start him on it at the apt. in February. That's another rant for another day, but hey short version, why are Rheumatologists so in love with Methotrexate when the most recent research shows that it isn't disease modifying for Psoriatic Arthritis, but that Enbrel is? My husband just went to the highest does of Methotrexate they give arthritis patients and has to double his folic acid, when he could instead be getting a drug that actually does something to stop his disease/rant

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:29 AM (hFL/3)

161 Mooch was just getting back at Barack for his flirting.Bubba's crooked dock doesn't reach that far down his leg anyway.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2013 07:29 AM (zqvg6)

162 145 OT: Uh oh, looks like Barky wasn't the only one trying to make time at the funeral.

http://tinyurl.com/ml2awk9

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 11:26 AM (XUKZU)

Relax. I'm savin' it for Hillary's interns.

Posted by: Billy Jeff Clinton at December 11, 2013 07:30 AM (OZmbA)

163 The Bad Lip Reading site should do a special episode with bad-sign-language guy. And ruh roh, Elton John receiving death threats from Imams in Buttfukistan or whichever of the 'stans it is he's intending to play. Bet he dropped a yellow brick load when he heard about the threats.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at December 11, 2013 07:31 AM (7ObY1)

164 Slightly OT : has anyone heard about controlled substance prescriptions being regulated differently because of the ACA? Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at December 11, 2013 11:27 AM (wiDhi)

The price of prescription narcotics floats depending on the actual cost of manufacture and demand for them. I found this out when my guy had cancer. My stylist's husband has lung cancer and she complains about this all the time to me.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 07:32 AM (kXoT0)

165 LOL at the fake sign language guy. I might have watched a couple of minutes if I had known that.

Posted by: RWC at December 11, 2013 07:32 AM (fWAjv)

166 Why don't you stick around after the party and we can sweep together?

Posted by: Bill Clinton at December 11, 2013 07:32 AM (YZ2TY)

167 Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter who also watched
the broadcast, said in a telephone interview that the man on stage
purporting to sign was an embarrassment.

"It was horrible, an absolute circus, really really bad," she said. "Only he can understand those gestures."

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at December 11, 2013 11:25 AM (KQp3

Has anyone considered the obvious answer?

He was signing jive.

I denounce myself.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:33 AM (GQ8sn)

168 158 LOL at the fake sign language guy. I might have watched a couple of minutes if I had known that. --- Was he making the "jerking off" motion at any point during Obama's speech, like the ASL "interpreter" in one scene of Airplane 2?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:33 AM (/Crba)

169 It's alarming that the event planners let that signing fraud stand next to all of the world leaders. How hard would it be for AQ to do send in a plant like this as part of an assassination attempt?

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2013 07:33 AM (JRmiD)

170 By the by, we can approach the numbers differently, but the result is still bad (not AS bad, but bad. Let's use some WaPo numbers shall we: http://goo.gl/DgJSLn Let's assume that their estimates are nationally accurate (they just use IL). So they say that for the bottom 80% of Medicaid patient, per capita cost is $550 or so. For simplicities sake we'll take that lowball number as "the number for everyone" (Basically the ultimately optimistic approach.) Fine, we still just added 400million in cost. In the blink of an eye. And we're not even done yet. As I said that's probably the lowest of the low numbers. Medicare distorts drug buying habits of patients in favor of higher priced brand name drugs: http://goo.gl/76EZ71 There's no reason to suspect that MEDICAID won't do something similar. Just looking at these numbers I can't tell how many of these people went from "some insurance" to "Medicaid" and how many are "newly 'covered'" (to speak loosely.) That's going to matter for cost projections. But let's face it, on the low end, we're looking at hundreds of millions. On the high end, billions.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 07:33 AM (GaqMa)

171 One question I have is - how many people are signing up directly with insurers? My understanding is that you don't have to go through the exchanges to get insurance; you can contact the insurers directly or through a broker. The "real" number is the number of cancellations compared to the number of new policies issued from any source. If the 5M cancellation figure is accurate (and does anyone know if that is policies or people?), there have to be 12M new people signed up to meet the initial goal of 7M. Of the admin's initial 7M goal, how many of those were supposed to be for the "free" Medicaid? Extrapolating Drew's numbers to the 7M figure would lead to 4.7M new free riders. And Drew's numbers

Posted by: duke at December 11, 2013 07:33 AM (d3clc)

172 The important number is how many people have paid for their ObamaCare policies

Posted by: mrp at December 11, 2013 07:33 AM (HjPtV)

173 That's another rant for another day, but hey short version, why are Rheumatologists so in love with Methotrexate when the most recent research shows that it isn't disease modifying for Psoriatic Arthritis, but that Enbrel is?

Less side effects?

Cheaper?

Easier to acquire?

I don't know.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:34 AM (GQ8sn)

174 159 Why don't you stick around after the party and we can sweep together?

Posted by: Bill Clinton at December 11, 2013 11:32 AM (YZ2TY)

99 points for the Seinfeld reference.

Posted by: Sphynx at December 11, 2013 07:34 AM (OZmbA)

175 "They'll run with the big lie and hope the furor dies down."

Yup. But you can fully expect them to very suddenly find 404Care to be a planet-shattering catastrophe if (and this is a big if) a Republican ever manages to win the WH again. I give the new administration approximately 4 minutes and 27 seconds before the MSLSD accuses it of FUBARing their messiah's crowning achievement.

Posted by: Jaws at December 11, 2013 07:34 AM (4I3Uo)

176 Oh wait, I just remembered that my letter from Independence Blue Cross told me it was automatically enrolling me in Obamacare if I didn't choose a plan by December 15th, that's legal, right? I called to tell them to shove it a few times but hung up after being on hold for 15 minutes each time. I'd better get on the horn and try again.

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 07:34 AM (2LJqa)

177 How many of these "new enrollments" are folks who HAD coverage, but were dropped because of obamacare, and had to enroll to get covered again?

Posted by: Uncle Jefe at December 11, 2013 07:34 AM (25KoS)

178 "Cheaper?" That's my guess.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:35 AM (hFL/3)

179 Nice to see Ace's prediction about Pope Francis being Time's Person of the Year was correct. The article is about what you would expect too.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at December 11, 2013 07:35 AM (oFCZn)

180 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:34 AM (GQ8sn) Docs are also usually a few years behind "the latest research." Unless you're sitting in an academic medical center, in which cause it's "a year or so behind."

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 07:36 AM (GaqMa)

181 Just saw this...Drudge

Boehner Unloads At Conservative Groups That Oppose The Budget Deal: 'This Is Ridiculous!'

Posted by: aikido2kyu at December 11, 2013 07:37 AM (2DrAG)

182

HHS officials said they remain confident they will reach their ultimate goal.

---

A workers paradise

Posted by: HHS at December 11, 2013 07:37 AM (SO2Q8)

183 157 Mine's not a narcotic but a stimulant. It used to be on Wal-Mart's $4 generic list, but the person there (I guess a pharmacy tech?) said that now controlled substances weren't allowed to be discounted that way due to "the new healthcare rules"? It seemed odd to me, but I ddon't know if she knows what she's talking about.

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at December 11, 2013 07:37 AM (wiDhi)

184 "Although the wheat harvest will surely miss the mark for this year, party officials said they remain confident they will reach their ultimate goal."

---------

Three words changed and a sentence that could have been written about the USSR is true in the USA.

And the quote is reported as factual.

Posted by: RoyalOil at December 11, 2013 07:37 AM (VjL9S)

185

I think my favorite recent stat is this one, which I found via Weasel Zippers:

Survey: Nearly One-Third of Uninsured Americans Clueless About Obamacare

Post Standard (Syracuse, NY): http://tinyurl.com/lscwybb

Nearly a third of uninsured Americans are clueless about Obamacare and the new health insurance exchanges, according to a survey.

The poll released today by Transamerica Center for Health Studies shows uninsured people, the group most affected by the requirement that nearly all Americans have health insurance next year, are the least prepared to comply with the coverage mandate. Under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, most people who are insured must enroll by March 31, 2014 or face a penalty of either $95 or 1 percent of income, whichever is greater.

The poll found 31 percent of the uninsured have not heard of the health insurance exchanges where people and small businesses can shop for and buy coverage.

The survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,005 Americans, ages 18 to 64, was conducted online in November by Harris Interactive...

So 1/3 of the people who were supposedly clamoring for Obammycare so they could get health insurance actually have no frigging clue that it exists or how to use it. That makes my heart ache with silent joy.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 07:37 AM (4df7R)

186 He was signing jive.
I denounce myself.
Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:33 AM

Jeff Dunham and Peanut.

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at December 11, 2013 07:37 AM (KQp38)

187 Jeff Dunham and Peanut. --- SILENCE! I keel you!

Posted by: Achmed The Dead Terrorist at December 11, 2013 07:38 AM (/Crba)

188 Less side effects?

Cheaper?

Easier to acquire?

I don't know.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:34 AM (GQ8sn)

Hottest sales reps.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 07:39 AM (kXoT0)

189 OT: Selfie-gate the sequel. The New York Post ran the story with the headline "Flirting With Dane-Ger." Oliver Willis says that the subtext is black man/white woman racist attack.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 07:40 AM (XUKZU)

190 Ahhh, Boehner. You never fail to come through - for the Democrats.
Kick back and Let it Burn, folks. The entire system is against us, and there's no stopping Behemoth.

Posted by: Kinley Ardal at December 11, 2013 07:40 AM (kM76g)

191 Mine's not a narcotic but a stimulant. It used to be on Wal-Mart's $4 generic list, but the person there (I guess a pharmacy tech?) said that now controlled substances weren't allowed to be discounted that way due to "the new healthcare rules"? It seemed odd to me, but I ddon't know if she knows what she's talking about.

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at December 11, 2013 11:37 AM (wiDhi)

Money gotz to come from somewhere to give Laquisha and Arlanelle their free prescriptions.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 07:40 AM (kXoT0)

192

I wonder what the numbers for those that have "purchased" insurance would be if insurance companies could release how many signups they've gotten through obamacare. Remember they are getting the wrong or incomplete information from that shitty website. Wouldn't surprise me if the number of people that have actually purchased obamacare insurance is under 100,000.

Posted by: buzzion at December 11, 2013 07:41 AM (LI48c)

193 Enbrel assistance guys says: " We Intend to offer its copay assistance programs to those who purchase insurance through the marketplace exchange." ...and to call back when we have full plan details because he can't offer advice as to what plan would be preferable.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:41 AM (hFL/3)

194 OT: Selfie-gate the sequel. The New York Post ran the story with the headline "Flirting With Dane-Ger." Oliver Willis says that the subtext is black man/white woman racist attack.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 11:40 AM (XUKZU)

Absolutely, Oliver. After all, everyone on the planet knows the Preezy is gheyer than a ghey unicorn made of sentient ghey.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 07:41 AM (4df7R)

195 Hopefully, the just revealed secret talks with Cuba were about their highly respected single-payer healthcare /half joking.

Posted by: Baldy at December 11, 2013 07:42 AM (2bql3)

196 Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 11:40 AM (kXoT0) There were a couple of states that had rules that you couldn't discount a co-pay. The idea was to do away with those "Pay only $10!" cards that gave the consumers benefits (but usually hurt the insurance companies, since the drug maker made much much more on the backend than the co-pay.) I don't know if anything like that made it's way into the ACA. I haven't heard about it, but lord knows it's a big bill.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 07:42 AM (GaqMa)

197 Lizzy like Daffy Duck with his extreme act, the AQ plant would have had one chance at detonation. Unless well he had some VX. That would have been nasty and I am sure the Secret Service is having kittens just thinking about it.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:42 AM (JdUCt)

198
Don't worry about the demographics, that will all be fixed with amnesty.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at December 11, 2013 07:43 AM (MaP11)

199

The important number is how many people have paid for their ObamaCare policies

---

Oh, you're all going to Pay. Oh, i crack me up.

Posted by: Barry at December 11, 2013 07:43 AM (SO2Q8)

200 Absolutely, Oliver. After all, everyone on the planet knows the Preezy is gheyer than a ghey unicorn made of sentient ghey.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 11:41 AM (4df7R)

Hey, now, just because I like the occasional Macho Mojito...

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at December 11, 2013 07:43 AM (DrWcr)

201 Redistributing healthcare, er yeah dude, that's kinda the point, you can't just cover preex. conditions/fund ppl who have trouble paying out of nowhere. You can disagree but I'm not sure why this word is supposed to be such a revelation.

Posted by: blue.dot at December 11, 2013 07:43 AM (slETN)

202

Boehner craps on Heritage Action, Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity, and FreedomWorks AND the base.

Too busy to make a statement about the impact of Obamacare on 5 million people I guess.

When Boehner was asked in the press conference about the conservative groups, he cut off the reporter asking the question.

"You mean the groups that came out opposed to it before they ever saw it?" he said.

Posted by: noone, really [/i][/b] at December 11, 2013 07:43 AM (5ikDv)

203 Absolutely, Oliver. After all, everyone on the planet knows the Preezy is gheyer than a ghey unicorn made of sentient ghey. --- Have you seen that girl, though? No one is THAT gay.

Posted by: Ray Gilette at December 11, 2013 07:44 AM (/Crba)

204 Absolutely, Oliver. After all, everyone on the planet knows the Preezy is gheyer than a ghey unicorn made of sentient ghey.
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit

And pooping ghey Skittles, taste the Rainbow!

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:44 AM (JdUCt)

205 Sadly, for nearly my entire adult life, we have not been able to trust the people who claim it's their job to inform us of the truth. How can we hope to survive when the few good men in public life are vilified, and every incompetent charlatan and criminal is raised upon a pedestal as a hero?

I was hopeful that market forces would drive out the bad media product, but government seems to be able to create more consumers who want and need that bad product, not to mention support a crony-capitalist class eager to serve them, even at a "loss".

This is not going to end well, is it...?

Posted by: Ray Van Dune at December 11, 2013 07:44 AM (uPq7d)

206 When Boehner was asked in the press conference about the conservative groups, he cut off the reporter asking the question.
"You mean the groups that came out opposed to it before they ever saw it?" he said.

Posted by: noone, really at December 11, 2013 11:43 AM (5ikDv)

Seriously? Of course they opposed it because the concept is fundamentally anti-American and anti-free-martket, you numbnuts. It doesn't take 2000 pages of legislation to tell you that!

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:45 AM (DrWcr)

207 Seriously? Of course they opposed it because the concept is fundamentally anti-American and anti-free-martket, you numbnuts. It doesn't take 2000 pages of legislation to tell you that!

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 11:45 AM (DrWcr)

I believe Boehner was referring to the Ryan-Murray budget bill, not Obammycare. Anyone with half a brain cell was opposed to Obammycare.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 07:46 AM (4df7R)

208 Hottest sales reps.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 11:39 AM (kXoT0)

Yes. That too.

One biotech company in La Jolla used to publish their catalogs with pics of their staff. Lady sale reps were on the back cover and OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:47 AM (GQ8sn)

209 I believe Boehner was referring to the Ryan-Murray budget bill, not Obammycare. Anyone with half a brain cell was opposed to Obammycare.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 11:46 AM (4df7R)

Oops, my mistake.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:47 AM (DrWcr)

210 Anyone with half a brain cell was opposed to Obammycare. --- How many brain cells did the Dems share between themselves circa December 2009?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:48 AM (/Crba)

211 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:47 AM (GQ8sn) Man, I needed better suppliers back in the day. My annual JAX calendar came with a pictures of mice

. (Although they gave me a C57/BL linage poster which was pretty cool, but I lost it packing up my desk when I left.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 07:48 AM (GaqMa)

212 He was signing jive.
I denounce myself.
Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:33 AM

Jeff Dunham and Peanut.

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at December 11, 2013 11:37 AM (KQp3

Saw that live at my local club.

Rolling on the floor.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:49 AM (GQ8sn)

213

I mentioned it in the last thread, but I just think it's funny that the "hot blond" Danish Prime Minister with whom our Gay Preezy (and by gay I mean joyful!) was flirting so openly happens to be the daughter-in-law of Neil Kinnock. Neil Kinnock is the Brit whose speech Joey Choo Choo Biden plagiarised like a mofo back in the 1980s.

Small and incestuous, that's the world of the "elites" for you.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 07:49 AM (4df7R)

214 After all, everyone on the planet knows the Preezy is gheyer than a ghey unicorn made of sentient ghey.

And that's from my Official Media Matters "50 Shades of Ghey" database.

Posted by: Ollie Willis, Statboi of the Left at December 11, 2013 07:49 AM (KQp38)

215

How many brain cells did the Dems share between themselves circa December 2009?

Not very many.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:49 AM (DrWcr)

216 Obamacare is not the hill to fight on

Posted by: Mitch The Bitch McConnell at December 11, 2013 07:49 AM (Pr6hk)

217 and I am sure the Secret Service is having kittens just thinking about it.

Were they the ones who stiffed the hookers in South America, or was that the CIA?

Could be both.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at December 11, 2013 07:50 AM (ZKzrr)

218 Small and incestuous, that's the world of the "elites" for you.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 11:49 AM (4df7R)

We have no idea what you're talking about.

Posted by: House of Hapsburg at December 11, 2013 07:50 AM (DrWcr)

219 A fake sign language guy walks into a bar and orders a pair of slippers covered in sunshine that is sleeping.

Posted by: polynikes at December 11, 2013 07:50 AM (m2CN7)

220 " We Intend to offer its copay assistance programs to those who purchase insurance through the marketplace exchange." Trust me, your party registration will have nothing to do with the tardiness of your reimbursements.

Posted by: t-bird at December 11, 2013 07:50 AM (FcR7P)

221 I'll also point out that those who do manage to sign up for an O'care plan won't be able to keep it in 2015. Even if they like it.

Posted by: speedster1 on the iPad at December 11, 2013 07:50 AM (noB3y)

222 Yes, Boehner, before we even saw it.
You don't have the grit to commit to real spending cuts now, why the hell should anyone expect that a new Congress a decade from now will commit to the spending cuts promised by a different Congress?
They'll kick the can, same as you, Boehner. Please, spare us this mockery of statesmanship.

Posted by: Kinley Ardal at December 11, 2013 07:51 AM (kM76g)

223 Man, I needed better suppliers back in the day.

My annual JAX calendar came with a pictures of mice .

(Although they gave me a C57/BL linage poster which was pretty cool, but I lost it packing up my desk when I left.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 11:48 AM (GaqMa)

Thermo Fisher rep here looks like a slimmer, smarter version of Meghan McCain including the jugs.

I can't stop staring.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:51 AM (GQ8sn)

224 Anyone else find it interesting how these professionals   -   who are so smart they know what we need more than we do   -   always refer to how many people have   "signed up?"

I'm not a lawyer,   but many moons ago I used to be licensed to sell insurance.   We bound people with policies.   Unless you have binding coverage,   you do not have jack!

Interesting that,   isn't it?   Don't hear anybody talking about how many people have legally binding coverage,   do we?

Now that they have the original podman Podesta officially back on the team,   the bs is bound to get deeper.

Nice to know that even though we are already squandering billions on this train wreck,   now we are paying for hacks like the Podman to promote it too.

Posted by: Lloyd Loar at December 11, 2013 07:51 AM (9u2hL)

225 Bottom line: The flacks and hacks will cheer but the reality of the numbers is disastrous. Mr. Maths WILL BE avenged!

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 07:51 AM (cUARf)

226 Anyone have good recommendations for Christmas music CDs? I lost all my music when my external drive cratered. I prefer the more traditional stuff, and always liked the old Firestone(?) LPs but I'm willing to venture into more modern stuff as long as the song isn't bastardized.

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 07:52 AM (zEeUf)

227 How many brain cells did the Dems share between themselves circa December 2009?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 11:48 AM (/Crba)

There is not a number small enough to answer that question.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 07:52 AM (4df7R)

228 That botched sign language job reminds me of this Aziz Ansari bit (NSFW) http://youtu.be/SFgEGmAbJew

Posted by: Xander Crews at December 11, 2013 07:52 AM (Ul91r)

229 These communists will not be satisfied until we are 1950s USSR.

Posted by: Vic at December 11, 2013 10:35 AM (T2V/1)

1930s USSR, Vic. When they can starve and purge us without consequences. That's the dream.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 07:52 AM (zF6Iw)

230 Anyone have good recommendations for Christmas music CDs? I lost all my music when my external drive cratered. Mannhiem Steamroller.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 07:53 AM (cUARf)

231

When they can starve and purge us without consequences.

Squee! A dream come true!

Posted by: Runway models at December 11, 2013 07:53 AM (DrWcr)

232 (In the brave new world where jwest runs the Death Panels) What is all this talk about there being a shortage of doctors for new Medicaid recipients? Why, there are plenty. Just step through this cave, er... "healthcare portal" and follow the path down and to the right. It might get a bit dark, but we're just saving energy so that we can provide more doctors. That's right.... just keep following the path. You'll get all the treatment you need.

Posted by: jwest at December 11, 2013 07:53 AM (u2a4R)

233 Anyone have good recommendations for Christmas music CDs? I lost all my music when my external drive cratered.

Pandora.

It's free.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:54 AM (GQ8sn)

234 My prediction? P A I N

Posted by: Barry 'Clubber Lang' Soetoro at December 11, 2013 07:54 AM (Pr6hk)

235 They're already complaining we really need single payer like every other advanced socialist society.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at December 11, 2013 07:54 AM (Y92Nd)

236 Its all word games. They are hoping the LIV equate 'signed up' as in registering with the site with the different phrase 'enrolled' meaning having insurance.

The socialist idiots up in Canada used similar verbal gymnastics with the long gun registry saying all these hits mean its being used. They omitted that most of those 'hits' were automated hits and not police initiated queries. And that spectacular failure cost the Canadian taxpayers $2 billion.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 07:55 AM (JdUCt)

237 You screwed up, you trusted us.

Posted by: Barry 'Otter' Soetoro at December 11, 2013 07:55 AM (Pr6hk)

238 @ 219

This has always been a favorite of mine around this time of the year.

http://tinyurl.com/ytnu64

Posted by: Lloyd Loar at December 11, 2013 07:56 AM (9u2hL)

239 The socialist idiots up in Canada used similar verbal gymnastics with the long gun registry saying all these hits mean its being used. They omitted that most of those 'hits' were automated hits and not police initiated queries. And that spectacular failure cost the Canadian taxpayers $2 billion.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 11:55 AM (JdUCt)

Wasn't that put together by the same outfit that gave us the 404care website?

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:56 AM (DrWcr)

240 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:51 AM (GQ8sn) You know. This may explain why in the lab I help set up as part of my undergrad practicum I was not allowed to talk to or see the Thermo-Fisher reps. (not that it would have mattered, I had no spending power, although I would have liked to arrange delivery that didn't involve me having to lift a several hundred pound incubator.) And in the lab I worked in (And had some purse control), the lab manager always met with them (even when I needed supplies.) Although, if memory serves our Thermo rep was a dude, so that may have had more to do with the fact that they sold the really expensive stuff that I wasn't allowed to buy without about 100 signatures. Hell, I once had to get 4 signatures to buy some lancets for bleeding the mice. Total cost $30 for 100 of them, but it came from Thermo, so the approval was required from like 4 levels.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 07:56 AM (GaqMa)

241 I prefer the more traditional stuff, and always liked the old Firestone(?) LPs but I'm willing to venture into more modern stuff as long as the song isn't bastardized.

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 11:52 AM (zEeUf)

Windham Hill always has nice, soothing collections. I'm fond of their Celtic Christmas series, but they've got a whole array to choose from.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 07:56 AM (4df7R)

242 228 They're already complaining we really need single payer like every other advanced socialist society.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at December 11, 2013 11:54 AM (Y92Nd)

Yes like Cuba, and ummmmmm I think there might be some others. Canada! Well not really Canada because they pretty much have the US to provide supplemental assistance to them. So yeah, there's Cuba.

Posted by: buzzion at December 11, 2013 07:57 AM (LI48c)

243 They're already complaining we really need single payer like every other advanced socialist society. I could agree to single payer if it was truly as the term suggests. I pay for mine, you pay for yours, the homeless guy pays for his.....

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 07:57 AM (cUARf)

244

Yes. That too.
One biotech company in La Jolla used to publish their catalogs with pics of their staff. Lady sale reps were on the back cover and OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---

i remember hearing that one thing that drug companies scan for on the college resume is the word cheerleader.

why did i Not become a doctor?

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at December 11, 2013 07:57 AM (SO2Q8)

245

Anyone have good recommendations for Christmas music CDs? I lost all my music when my external drive cratered.

Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 07:57 AM (DrWcr)

246
Reminds me of that goodfellas scene with DeNiro telling the gal if she wants a new dress to just go down the alley and walk thru that door. Yeah that one, just go on in, go on.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at December 11, 2013 07:57 AM (MaP11)

247 Fsck Boehner with Sanda Fluke's rusty monster dildo

Posted by: Ariel Castro at December 11, 2013 07:57 AM (Pr6hk)

248 disaster is the new normal

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/s] at December 11, 2013 07:58 AM (UVadJ)

249 You know.
This may explain why in the lab I help set up as part of my undergrad practicum I was not allowed to talk to or see the Thermo-Fisher reps. (not that it would have mattered, I had no spending power, although I would have liked to arrange delivery that didn't involve me having to lift a several hundred pound incubator.)

You can tell when they want your business. They bring the GOOD swag.

If you only knew how much ~~I was on the take~~ upheld my company code of ethics, it would shock you!

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 07:58 AM (GQ8sn)

250

And Drew, I shared your post with one of the brain dead liberals at the coffeehouse. She says your a liar and undermining the President.

I'd love to be at that coffeehouse.

ME: So, mentioning problems with Obamacare is 'undermining the President?'

HER: It's the 'Affordable Care Act,' racist. And yes, you should be helping the President instead of trying to tear him down.

ME: So, when you called Bush 'selected, not elected,' and cried 'Bush lied, people died,' wasn't that undermining the President?

HER: No, because Bush lied. And Gore won.

ME: Isn't dissent the highest form of patriotism? Hillary said so.

HER: You're not being patriotic. You're a racist who can't stand seeing a black man as President.

ME: Do you have insurance coverage right now?

HER: Yes.

ME: Good. Time to use it, bitch.

Tosses full cup of hot coffee in scrunt's face, kicks her in head as she collapses screeching to floor. Shoot cuffs, give the rest of the room a James Bond look, walk out without looking back.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 07:58 AM (zF6Iw)

251 "i remember hearing that one thingthat drug companies scan for on the college resume is the word cheerleader. why did i Not become a doctor?" Ha. That seems pretty accurate based on the girls I know who are either med sales reps or text book sales reps...

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 07:59 AM (hFL/3)

252 220 How many brain cells did the Dems share between themselves circa December 2009? Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 11:48 AM (/Crba) There is not a number small enough to answer that question. --- Do you need to use scientific notation or do we have to find someone who has taken a course on imaginary numbers?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 07:59 AM (/Crba)

253

Also, if you want some traditional Christmas songs as well as carols, the "Time Life Treasury of Christmas" CDs are excellent. Nice variety and lots of recognizable favorites. My family wore out our audio tape versions years ago; I've got to get the CDs to replace them!

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:00 AM (4df7R)

254 i remember hearing that one thingthat drug companies scan for on the college resume is the word cheerleader.
why did i Not become a doctor?

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at December 11, 2013 11:57 AM (SO2Q

Back in the day, things were good. And by good, I mean quite good for doctors and reps alike.

Then came all the damn rules and regs forbidding this, and forbidding that and now things suck for docs and reps.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:00 AM (GQ8sn)

255 Insomniac, I think they were.

MPPPP, license to scald.

MWR 1 x 10 -37 brain cells?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 08:01 AM (JdUCt)

256 There is not a number small enough to answer that question. --- Do you need to use scientific notation or do we have to find someone who has taken a course on imaginary numbers? Go to the last number before infinity, and put a minus sign in front of it.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 08:01 AM (cUARf)

257 now things suck for docs and reps. --- I thought it was reps sucking which got a lot of the regulations pushed through.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:01 AM (/Crba)

258 Anyone have good recommendations for Christmas music CDs? I lost all my music when my external drive cratered.
---

For years Hallmark Cards put out a Christmas album and up to about the last 4, they were excellent--varied performers from Pavrotti to Sarah Vaughan to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You might see if you can find some of them. I have to dig mine out.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 08:02 AM (kXoT0)

259 1- At least 5 million people have lost coverage And isn't that out of only the 10 million self-insured who were subject to this first round? Nothing compared to the employer-mandate bloodbath that is coming next year.

Posted by: t-bird at December 11, 2013 08:02 AM (FcR7P)

260 "Bottom line: The flacks and hacks will cheer but the reality of the numbers is disastrous." Perception is reality, suckahs. Now watch this drive.

Posted by: Mother Effing Media at December 11, 2013 08:02 AM (1Y+hH)

261 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 11:58 AM (GQ8sn) I still have my Sigma Aldrich travel mouse. When it arrived (because I had to ship it to the university) my boss went "Where the hell did you get that and how much did you spend?!" I told him the truth, which actually was that they were doing a "survey" on antibody usage (probably marketing but that's not my problem.) First some number got a free mouse. I happened to be at my PC when the email came in and filled it out. Which, since I did PCR and H&E staining was pretty damn easy (one question "I don't use antibodies regularly, then N/A for the rest.) I sent him the email, he filled it out and got a mouse too

. He also kept all the good swag when it came time to buy things like centrifuges and freezers

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:02 AM (GaqMa)

262 I thought it was reps sucking which got a lot of the regulations pushed through.

Not just between reps and docs, but between reps of rival companies.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe....

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:02 AM (GQ8sn)

263 The 364,000 people who have signed up through the first two months still fall short of the administration's expectations for October alone. Another 3 million people would have to sign up this month alone in order to hit the initial year-end goal.

Maxwell Obama: Missed it by that much

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2013 08:02 AM (1Jaio)

264 Hmm, it appears that Hallmark started the albums up again. This year's artist is Natalie Cole. I will have to pick that up.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Weary and Wary at December 11, 2013 08:03 AM (kXoT0)

265 Maxwell Obama: Missed it by that much --- Not a stretch to say that Obama is an agent of CONTROL.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:03 AM (/Crba)

266 241 disaster is the new normal

Posted by: Purp at December 11, 2013 11:58 AM (UVadJ)

And crisis. Each crisis demands a solution, which turns out to be a disaster, which leads to the next crisis, which demands a solution. Rinse and repeat.

Posted by: joncelli at December 11, 2013 08:03 AM (RD7QR)

267 He also kept all the good swag when it came time to buy things like centrifuges and freezers

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 12:02 PM (GaqMa)

He was a greedy bastard. There's a whole unpublishable tier of swag if you order capital equipment over X number of dollars.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:04 AM (GQ8sn)

268 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:00 PM (GQ8sn) Some day the rules will change enough that my degree in ethics will be useful. And by that I mean because they'll have gotten rid of the perks and can use my fake authority as a way to trick people. "Well, I have a degree in bioethics, surely I'm looking out for the best interest of your patients." Not gonna lie, if a pharma company offered me the opportunity to sell my soul like that, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:04 AM (GaqMa)

269 So Valerie Jarret is Agent 99 and John Kerry is Hymie?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 08:04 AM (JdUCt)

270 Not a stretch to say that Obama is an agent of CONTROL.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 12:03 PM (/Crba)

He's also got his own personal Cone of Silence.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:05 AM (4df7R)

271 Boehner's bitching about people bitching about the budget deal.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 08:05 AM (h4eud)

272 The only way single payer even appears successful is that, like income tax withholding, it takes its money out by force before the 'customer' has a chance to protest. The proles in Britain or Canada never have to ante up due to the kind consideration of the bureaucracy to take that difficult choice away from them.

Posted by: --- at December 11, 2013 08:05 AM (MMC8r)

273 Aaron Neville, Soulful Christmas

Posted by: Heywood Jablowme at December 11, 2013 08:05 AM (jsWA8)

274 Some day the rules will change enough that my degree in ethics will be useful.

Rules changed a while ago.

Now, the last thing a doc wants to do is spend time with reps.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:06 AM (GQ8sn)

275 255 I thought it was reps sucking which got a lot of the regulations pushed through. Not just between reps and docs, but between reps of rival companies. I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.... --- I guess this explains why one of my doctors has a huge sign up insisting that drug reps set appointments rather than do drop-in visits. I'm sure he doesn't want his wife coming around those days.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:06 AM (/Crba)

276 So Valerie Jarret is Agent 99 ..? Valerie Jarret is in no conceivable way Agent 99. Period.

Posted by: t-bird at December 11, 2013 08:06 AM (FcR7P)

277 Not a stretch to say that Obama is an agent of CONTROL.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 12:03 PM (/Crba)

He's also got his own personal Cone of Silence.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 12:05 PM (4df7R)

Wasn't it CHAOS?

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:06 AM (GQ8sn)

278 Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 11:52 AM (zEeUf) Amy Grant's 1992 album "Home For Christmas" is decent. One song, "Emmanuel, God With Us" always causes sand and grit to get in my eyes. Don't know why, it's kinda weird. And I echo rickb223 about Mannhiem Steamroller. Good stuff.

Posted by: ExSnipe at December 11, 2013 08:07 AM (57ubW)

279 Wasn't it CHAOS? --- CHAOS is the bad guys. CONTROL is the government agency which is generally inept.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:07 AM (/Crba)

280 Speaking of hottie sales reps... My company bought all new copy machines last year. The winning bid came from a company who repeatedly sent in a sales rep who also happens to be a Buffalo Bills cheerleader. And let me tell you, she was one ssssmokin' hot babe. Every guy in the office went nuts every time she came in. Well except for Big Ghey Tom in the next cubicle. Of course, once you ink the deal you're never, ever going to see the sales rep again. I hope the managers who made the final decision understood that. Ever since then, all we've seen is the fat Russian repair guy with a speech impediment.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at December 11, 2013 08:07 AM (7ObY1)

281
Maxwell Obama: Would you believe that 7 million people have signed up for ObamaCare? Err....would you believe 2 million? Would you believe 5 lefties signed up and the rest of the numbers we just made up?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2013 08:07 AM (1Jaio)

282 OT: Selfie-gate the sequel. The New York Post ran the story with the headline "Flirting With Dane-Ger." Oliver Willis says that the subtext is black man/white woman racist attack.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 11:40 AM (XUKZU)

The only "attack" that pantload is familiar with is the straining of his clogged arteries as he tries to squeeze the remnants of another greasy Filet-O-Fish through his dripping, pustulent anal passage.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 08:07 AM (zF6Iw)

283 KAOS. And the Doc from Love Boat ran it.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 08:07 AM (JdUCt)

284 Boehner committed the longest political suicide in DC history.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at December 11, 2013 08:08 AM (Ec6wH)

285 CHAOS is the bad guys.

CONTROL is the government agency which is generally inept.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 12:07 PM (/Crba)

Either way.

*shrug*

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:08 AM (GQ8sn)

286 Boehner craps on Heritage Action, Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity, and FreedomWorks AND the base.Too busy to make a statement about the impact of Obamacare on 5 million people I guess. Oh yeah baby!

Posted by: Martin Bashir at December 11, 2013 08:08 AM (oFCZn)

287 A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, Soul Christmas (originally released by Atlantic in 196

, Bing Crosby White Christmas, The Beach Boys Christmas Album, A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1, Please Come Home For Christmas by the Eagles (single / B side is Funky New Year), Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, 20th C. Masters Seasons Greetings Box Set are some good holiday staples.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at December 11, 2013 08:08 AM (Y92Nd)

288 ME: Do you have insurance coverage right now?
HER: Yes.
ME: Good. Time to use it, bitch.

*swoon*

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at December 11, 2013 08:08 AM (ZKzrr)

289 From the last thread. Will Colorado marijuana retailers be able to meet demand? Aieee! They've been meeting it for decades, dumbass. Oh, you mean the state-approved legal dealers? Who needs them?

Posted by: Basement Growers of Colorado at December 11, 2013 08:08 AM (1Y+hH)

290 Boehner committed the longest political suicide in DC history. Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at December 11, 2013 12:08 PM (Ec6wH) And he just filed for reelection in 2014!

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at December 11, 2013 08:09 AM (Y92Nd)

291 KAOS. And the Doc from Love Boat ran it.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 12:07 PM (JdUCt)

Zis is KAOS. We've don't do ObamaCare around here.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2013 08:09 AM (1Jaio)

292 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:04 PM (GQ8sn) Yeah, but at that level you're so high on the approval chain, even he wasn't getting the swag, someone in purchasing was. In fact, waaaayyy back before the lab, I did some minor procurement for the AV department of the student center. I wanted some video cables and other minor stuff. I submitted an order to CDWG (Which makes sense, it's a tech company.) It was rejected. I was told to go to Corporate Express (when they existed.) But CE didn't sell 25' long cables, so it was a special order, which meant big $$$ I sent a note to procurement that said "I can get all my supplies from CDWG for the price of one custom made CE cable!" Rejected again. So I called our CDWG rep to tell him I was going to have to cancel until I figured things out. He said "huh, what? We just signed a 1.5mil preferred vender contract with your university?" He said "I'll call you back later." hour or so later, I got a call from purchasing, order approved, 20 minutes after that CDWG called to tell me the guy had an...arrangement...with CE, and wanted our order to further it.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:09 AM (GaqMa)

293 Thanks guys and gals.

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 08:10 AM (z+Xap)

294 Posted by: BlueStateRebel at December 11, 2013 12:07 PM (7ObY1) Benefit to lab work! Everything is consumable! Reps all the time!

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:11 AM (GaqMa)

295 Do not expect the MFM to change its agenda no matter what comes Elitist/left leaning central planning is their holy grail. They may be forced to adapt tactically, but their inclination toward statism is washed into their numb skulls. Their has NEVER been a truthful narrative authored by their ilk since long before Saint Edward R Murrow. Walter Duranty is still enshrined at the NYT.

Posted by: ontherocks at December 11, 2013 08:11 AM (D9pxf)

296 Ever since then, all we've seen is the fat Russian repair guy with a speech impediment.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at December 11, 2013 12:07 PM (7ObY1)

In Russia, copier collates you!

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:11 AM (GQ8sn)

297 Pardon me while I shed a silly effeminate Obama sock before I forget......

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at December 11, 2013 08:12 AM (l3vZN)

298 "Almost No One Is Buying Private Insurance Through ObamaCare Exchanges" So the ObamaCare Exchanges aren't a complete failure because the opposite of "Almost No One" is some. Progress Comrades!

Posted by: ExSnipe at December 11, 2013 08:12 AM (57ubW)

299 You people don't adore us... you are so mean... and i am so hung over

Posted by: John Boehner at December 11, 2013 08:12 AM (Pr6hk)

300 In Russia, hope copier does not staple you.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 08:13 AM (JdUCt)

301 Wow, I just saw an actual effectuation file from the biggest major carrier in this state where I'm working to help the exchange. This file (the first received to date) contained one insured with effectuated coverage. PP/ACA - it works!

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at December 11, 2013 08:13 AM (1Sw7Y)

302 269 So Valerie Jarret is Agent 99 ..? Valerie Jarret is in no conceivable way Agent 99. Period. Posted by: t-bird at December 11, 2013 12:06 PM (FcR7P) [Rolls around on a Tiger rug] Grrrrrrr!

Posted by: Barbara Feldon at December 11, 2013 08:13 AM (h4eud)

303 There will not be another shutdown under my watch

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at December 11, 2013 08:13 AM (Pr6hk)

304 I like the classic Christmas songs of the 50s and 60s. i.e. Eartha Kitt, not Mariah Carey. There's a whole series of "various artists" Christmas CDs filled with the classics from the 50s and 60s, I see them all over in various big box stores and snap some more up every year. Can't remember the label offhand but each one has a cover picture made up of pictures of some of the artists on the disc. My all-time favorite is Lou Christie's "O Holy Night."

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at December 11, 2013 08:14 AM (7ObY1)

305 Valerie Jarret's codename is 'Willard'

Posted by: Ben at December 11, 2013 08:15 AM (Pr6hk)

306 295 269 So Valerie Jarret is Agent 99 ..? Valerie Jarret is in no conceivable way Agent 99. Period. Posted by: t-bird at December 11, 2013 12:06 PM (FcR7P) [Rolls around on a Tiger rug] Grrrrrrr! Posted by: Barbara Feldon at December 11, 2013 12:13 PM (h4eud) --- I'll take Anne Hathaway's ass in a leather catsuit slithering under lasers, pls. Either as Agent 99 or Catwoman, I'm not picky.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:15 AM (/Crba)

307 298 Valerie Jarret's codename is 'Willard' --- Is Obama's codename "Ben"?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:15 AM (/Crba)

308 hour or so later, I got a call from purchasing, order approved, 20 minutes after that CDWG called to tell me the guy had an...arrangement...with CE, and wanted our order to further it.

Our purchasing dept is now taking control of all orders and acting as the middleman. It's a waste of time and money and I think I mentioned this to you before. The vendors I used to work with cannot honour "specials" if they go through a third party since my name doesn't appear on the PO. I told them to f-off and will no longer get any business from me.

Now, I found a work around by dealing directly with the reps instead of going through purchasing. They write up a special quote with additional discounting that bypasses purchasing. I simply reference the quote # and I get ~~my swag~~ my supplies.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:16 AM (GQ8sn)

309

263Not a stretch to say that Obama is an agent of CONTROL.

---

Actually a double agent

Posted by: CHAOS at December 11, 2013 08:16 AM (SO2Q8)

310 Is Obama's codename "Ben"?

He's a rat under her command. Makes sense.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 08:16 AM (DrWcr)

311 At least half the private insurance sign-ups are those with pre-existing conditions who are getting it for relatively little. 1 million sign up for free health insurance. Big deal.

Posted by: dirks strewn at December 11, 2013 08:16 AM (l7oVN)

312 "Just about 1.2 million people have gained health coverage through Obamacare"

Can we at least fight back the meme that somehow a program that MILLIONS ARE FORCED AND REQUIRED BY LAW TO GET is a 'success' when some fraction of those millions by gum actually navigate through the bureaucracy to get it.

So, more people dependent on Government = 'success'??
Ah, so food stamps is TWICE as successful now as in 2007 then. huh.

PS. There is no death spiral. There is just the vortex of sucking trillions from taxpayers to cover this.

Posted by: Zombie Commie Walter Cronkite at December 11, 2013 08:17 AM (oNqbW)

313 So a few have signed up. Many of which are subsidized. The rest are medicaid. Which is completely subsidized. Which really means the taxpayers pay for it. So the people who have been 'subsidizing' them through cost-shifting are just paying it through the gummint. So we're really not saving ANYTHING. But the bureaucracy and Dem Orgs get a nice revenue stream.

Posted by: --- at December 11, 2013 08:17 AM (MMC8r)

314 Hell, I don't even buy clothes from crappy websites.

Posted by: wth at December 11, 2013 08:17 AM (wAQA5)

315 Oh, you mean the state-approved legal dealers? Who needs them? When I was in CO with some friends a few months ago, we couldn't buy any. Tried 5 different emporiums in Denver. You have to be a state resident and have a "card." And they really mean it. We hung around outside like teenagers trying to get someone to buy beer for them, even offering strangers 40 bucks for their trouble of buying it for us. Even the mellowest of hippies turned us down. Turns out, it's because the state government is sending in undercover guys to try and buy it or convince someone to buy it for them, just like cops sending kids into liquor stores.

Posted by: Guy Who Couldn't Buy Weed in Denver at December 11, 2013 08:18 AM (7ObY1)

316 I'll take Anne Hathaway's ass in a leather catsuit slithering under lasers, pls.

Meh.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:18 AM (GQ8sn)

317 Here, hold my cigar... I want to try something.

Posted by: Bill Clinton at December 11, 2013 08:19 AM (mxUGa)

318 So Ras is polling that 75% of respondents favor raising the minimum wage to $10.10 or more. I don't dispute the numbers, so I think we can say that the public school system has done its job as effectively as it intended. Which is why those H1B STEM candidates look so good right now.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at December 11, 2013 08:20 AM (Ec6wH)

319 Brandon, you will take Danica Patrick in a showgirl costume and like it.

And it seems everyone agrees that Kerry is Hymie.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 08:20 AM (JdUCt)

320 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:16 PM (GQ8sn) Our reps found a way around that for commonly used items: Stock supply rooms. You'd negotiate the price, and they'd put it in the supply room (which was refilled every so often.) University rules for onsite supply rooms allowed for standing PO charges to them with much less oversight. Downside was it only worked for stable or rapidly consumed items. As for special POs that was a nightmare. My current department tried to buy a conference table. The room is oddly shaped it we needed like a 25X3 table with outlets in it. Only one company could fulfill that order. Purchasing rejected the quote, required us to get 3 more, and tried to tell us to go with the 15X5 table because it was cheaper. Nevermind it wouldn't fit the room, or hold our department. Nope, go with it.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:20 AM (GaqMa)

321 Days of Failure Passed by Moody Doom...

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars [/i] [/b] [/s] at December 11, 2013 08:20 AM (QlTaC)

322 The sad thing here is that if the press had done their jobs and done a little research, they would know (and would have known) the true state of these exchanges. Instead, they just went into full-on "You're a racist!" cheerleading mode. Had some of these horror stories hit the fishwrap in August, instead of now...this entire clusterfuck might have had a chance. However, thankfully - they remained firmly ensconced in their Obama Booster Seats and regurgitated the same talking points promulgated by this Administration. They're just as culpable (more culpable due to their supposed objectivity, some might argue) as CMS.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at December 11, 2013 08:20 AM (1Sw7Y)

323 Breaking news from NRO: The millions of Americans who received termination notices for their insurance policies are Â“thrilledÂ” that they now have other options on the exchanges, says HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Did not see that coming.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 08:20 AM (QPO7A)

324 So Ras is polling that 75% of respondents favor raising the minimum wage to $10.10 or more.

I don't dispute the numbers, so I think we can say that the public school system has done its job as effectively as it intended.

Which is why those H1B STEM candidates look so good right now.

I think a large portion of the populace get confused and think in their minds that the $10 minimum wage is a raise, not a floor.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:21 AM (GQ8sn)

325 Like man, what a hassle. Like I thought we would be like free to like buy some awesome weed. But like now we need these cards and like go to these uncool government stores and like pay outrageous taxes. It like totally harshes my mellow dude.

Posted by: Colorado Libertarian at December 11, 2013 08:21 AM (Pr6hk)

326 Oh my gosh best news ever, ever, ever, ever, ever! We haven't made as much YTD this year as last year, so it looks like we just might barely slip in under the income limits to get onto the Encourage Foundation and get his meds for free! (Yes, I realize that I'm celebrating making less money. Oh, Obamaconomy) I also got the rates for self pay at his rheumatologist and those are under $300 per visit. Of course, this all hinges on him being uninsured. If Samaritan will agree to allow us to join their cost share despite our theological differences we will have a perfect set up.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 08:22 AM (hFL/3)

327 The millions of Americans who received termination notices for their insurance policies are Â“thrilledÂ” that they now have other options on the exchanges, says HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. --- This is like claiming that people in Auschwitz loved the weight-loss treatments they were receiving.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:22 AM (/Crba)

328 I wish someone had a roundup of stories about all the shocked angry and sad LIV LIB's when they got their bill. Their tears warm my heart.

Posted by: Minnfidel at December 11, 2013 08:22 AM (5M2+1)

329 If Samaritan will agree to allow us to join their cost share despite our theological differences we will have a perfect set up. --- Sweet. Glad it may work out for y'all.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:23 AM (/Crba)

330 Even the mellowest of hippies turned us down. Turns out, it's because the state government is sending in undercover guys to try and buy it or convince someone to buy it for them, just like cops sending kids into liquor stores. So it's not legal legal really.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 08:23 AM (cUARf)

331 And it seems everyone agrees that Kerry is Hymie.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 12:20 PM (JdUCt)

And Biden is Larabee

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2013 08:23 AM (1Jaio)

332 Jan 1, 2014 it will be. They were just early...lol

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at December 11, 2013 08:23 AM (1Sw7Y)

333 I hope and pray it works out Lauren.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 08:23 AM (JdUCt)

334 Our reps found a way around that for commonly used items: Stock supply rooms.

We have that here too. Less graft.

In another time, I would have liked to make a rep's quarter numbers.

"How much do you need? Ok, let's go to the supply closet."

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:24 AM (GQ8sn)

335 Joe Biden is the shoe.

No, the one without the phone in it.

Posted by: phreshone at December 11, 2013 08:24 AM (Pr6hk)

336 A fraud generated by a Con Artist. Duh!1....
Who'd a thunk it?

Posted by: backhoe at December 11, 2013 08:25 AM (ULH4o)

337 Lauren,

I'm glad things are working out for you! Congrats to you and your husband.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:25 AM (GQ8sn)

338 Gene Autry, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Posted by: Heywood Jablowme at December 11, 2013 08:26 AM (jsWA8)

339 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:24 PM (GQ8sn) Heh. I'd note that what goes into the supply closets though is still subject to the reps discretion. That's where the graft gets introduced. So you get a bit of stuff that's like "there's no way I could buy this from you on a straight PO, but if it's the supply room...." I'm fairly certain that's the only reason there were things like microfuge tubes in the Sigma Supply closet....(Who the hell pays that price for microfuge tubes?!)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:26 AM (GaqMa)

340 Wait until next year. I know of at least one state exchange that can only do initial enrollments, and can't actually manage "life events", i.e., newborns, deaths, address changes, employer changes (which impact APTC calculations), etc. I bet the number is actually a lot higher than 1...

Not to mention the Feds...lol

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at December 11, 2013 08:27 AM (1Sw7Y)

341 If Samaritan will agree to allow us to join their cost share despite our theological differences we will have a perfect set up.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 12:22 PM (hFL/3)

I sure hope it all works out for you!

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 08:27 AM (DrWcr)

342 A fraud generated by a Con Artist. Wrapped in a Ponzi Scheme.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 08:27 AM (cUARf)

343 324 And it seems everyone agrees that Kerry is Hymie. Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 11, 2013 12:20 PM (JdUCt) And Biden is Larabee --- Hey Maxi! Let's play Dog Show! I'll put a collar around your neck and make you my bitch!

Posted by: Slow Joe Larabee at December 11, 2013 08:27 AM (/Crba)

344 Congrats, Lauren, I'm so happy you made so little money...oh wait. Yes, that's the Obamaconomy for you! Anyway, best wishes. Just got off with BC/BS. Surprisingly, the rep was really knowledgeable which was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, she knew enough to tell me, after I provider her with the Tiers of my 4 medications, that only the most expensive Platinum plan would make sense for me. Platinum, baby, I've arrived!

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 08:27 AM (2LJqa)

345 Breaking news from NRO:

The millions of Americans who received termination notices for their insurance policies are Â“thrilledÂ” that they now have other options on the exchanges, says HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Did not see that coming.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 12:20 PM (QPO7A)

And the chocolate ration just went UP from 30 to 25 grams

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2013 08:28 AM (1Jaio)

346 "I'm glad things are working out for you! Congrats to you and your husband.' Thanks! I'm finally feel a bit optimistic. Now watch, he'll get a spot bonus that completely unravels our plan. Ha. What a strange position to be in.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 08:28 AM (hFL/3)

347 The millions of Americans who received termination notices for their
insurance policies are Â“thrilledÂ” that they now have other options on
the exchanges, says HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

And work will set you free.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:28 AM (GQ8sn)

348 So Ras is polling that 75% of respondents favor raising the minimum wage to $10.10 or more. >>

If you asked those same people "do you favor McDonald's raising it's $1 menu to $2"? I wonder what their answer would be.

Posted by: Buzzsaw at December 11, 2013 08:28 AM (tf9Ne)

349 Thanks! I'm finally feel a bit optimistic. Now watch, he'll get a spot bonus that completely unravels our plan. Ha. What a strange position to be in.

Pre-empt that by holding any award until 2014.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:29 AM (GQ8sn)

350 " Platinum, baby, I've arrived!" OOOh aren't you snazzy? And how much will that bling run you?

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 08:29 AM (hFL/3)

351 This is the equivalent of saying "We took away 5 million people's only pair of shoes, then set up an online shoe store for 600 million dollars and closed down the rest of the bricks and mortar and online shoe stores (or made their shoes so expensive as to no longer be a competitive option), and now we've sold over 300,000 pairs of shoes, plus gave over 700,000 pairs of shoes away with the extra money from our way overpriced shoes and other places shoes we mandated to be more expensive. Success!" There are now 4 million shoeless, and 1 million with super expensive shoes, most often paid for by someone else.

Posted by: MostlyRight at December 11, 2013 08:30 AM (w9AQ4)

352 I m so happy I already lost my insurance! Now won't have to worry about it.

Posted by: Baldy at December 11, 2013 08:30 AM (2bql3)

353 So the sign language interpreter at the Mandela funeral was fake? He was just making up fake signs? That's awesome. Good gig.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 08:30 AM (ZPrif)

354 There are now 4 million shoeless, and 1 million with super expensive shoes, most often paid for by someone else. --- Sounds like the average inner city school after the newest release of Air Jordans.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at December 11, 2013 08:30 AM (/Crba)

355 So you get a bit of stuff that's like "there's no way I could buy this from you on a straight PO, but if it's the supply room...."

The hottie reps need their numbers, and I'm holding the signing pen.

We can work out an "agreement".

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:31 AM (GQ8sn)

356

If Samaritan will agree to allow us to join their cost share despite our theological differences we will have a perfect set up.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 12:22 PM (hFL/3)

*fingers crossed and knock on wood!*

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:31 AM (4df7R)

357 I almost got security from the State Department

Posted by: Ambassador Stevens at December 11, 2013 08:32 AM (Pr6hk)

358 If Samaritan will agree to allow us to join their cost share despite our theological differences

What kind of difference is this?

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:32 AM (GQ8sn)

359 Colorado isn't going broke like some other states. Colorado has set up multiple income streams and the beauty of them (from my view) is, they are voluntary. Pay as much as you please or don't pay at all: Colorado Lottery: Half of all proceeds go to Parks and Recreation, by state law. Colorado Gambling: Casino revenues highly taxed. Pot: High taxes on legal retail pot shops. Hunting and Fishing licenses: Not a tax, user fees which completely support Parks and Wildlife budgets with no taxation by state. All are voluntary, no one has to participate in any of these revenue-raising activities. I've paid nothing into these tax generators. My little town just got a $140,000 pedesterian bridge that is quite useful for myself and others. Paid for by lottery money and I don't buy tickets. Thanks, gamblers! My town park got new playground equipment the same way. Thanks again, the grandkids like playing on the equipment.

Posted by: Smart citizens of Colorado at December 11, 2013 08:32 AM (1Y+hH)

360 The hottie reps need their numbers, and I'm holding the signing pen. We can ~~work~~ rub out an "agreement". FIFY.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 08:33 AM (cUARf)

361 All is well.

Posted by: Chip Diller Schultz at December 11, 2013 08:33 AM (Pr6hk)

362 For the low, low price of $920 a month. Minus co-pays, of course, which are lower than the other plans, at least, but basically the same as I had before. Operators are standing by. I can see any dr/hospital I want (I could before). I really can't believe this is happening. Hell, our mortgage is less than this.

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 08:33 AM (2LJqa)

363 If you asked those same people "do you favor McDonald's raising it's $1 menu to $2"? I wonder what their answer would be.

Something like "fuck yeah, cuz obeeesity."

They're idiots. Comes from upbringing. Parents are probably idiots, too.
Lorraine, if you ever have a kid that acts that way I'll disown you.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at December 11, 2013 08:34 AM (ZKzrr)

364 I really can't believe this is happening. Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 12:33 PM (2LJqa) Hide posts from (2LJqa) I believe that's known as "History's Lament."

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 08:35 AM (qyfb5)

365 You're gonna need a lot of clothes hangers to fix that Obamacare thingy.

Posted by: Dr. Gosnell at December 11, 2013 08:35 AM (Pr6hk)

366 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:31 PM (GQ8sn) Way back in the 80s, someone put a flammable solvent in a freezer with some radionucleotides. It was not an explosion safe freezer (this was before those became common). You see where this ends up. So the university mandated that every freezer had to be replaced with an explosion proof model (or resistant, or whatever.) EVERY FREEZER. I'm told the fisher rep wept with joy that day. A stroke of a pen and...well...his numbers for the next 5 years were met.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:35 AM (GaqMa)

367 "So the sign language interpreter at the Mandela funeral was fake? He was just making up fake signs? That's awesome. Good gig." No, no, he was signing in Peruvian.

Posted by: Meremortal, with two fingers up at December 11, 2013 08:35 AM (1Y+hH)

368 The Progressive Trash Ruling Class would love McDonalds to double prices. Cause they don't think people should be eating there in the first place.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 08:35 AM (ZPrif)

369 Obamacare got you down. Call 1-800-DOCTORB. The extra B is for bargain

Posted by: Dr Nick at December 11, 2013 08:36 AM (Pr6hk)

370 The Progressive Trash Ruling Class would love McDonalds to double prices. Cause they don't think people should be eating there in the first place. They would if it were unionized.

Posted by: --- at December 11, 2013 08:37 AM (MMC8r)

371 341 So Ras is polling that 75% of respondents favor raising the minimum wage to $10.10 or more. So 75% of us are either mentally retarded or hate poor people. Seriously, you have to be mentally retarded to support the minimum wage. Does it really take an econ course to figure it out?

Posted by: AmishDude at December 11, 2013 08:37 AM (T0NGe)

372 "What kind of difference is this?" We're Oneness Pentecostals and the statement of faith is really explicit about the "persons" of the Trinity.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 08:37 AM (hFL/3)

373

DangerGirl, here are a couple of recommendations:

Christmas Cocktails, from Capitol Records' Ultra-Lounge collection:

http://tinyurl.com/kvklzy5

A Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas:

http://tinyurl.com/mkrh5m3

And for just plain sexy, Kellie Pickler singing Santa, Baby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LVffa5UDSQ

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 08:38 AM (zF6Iw)

374 If only. If only. If only . . . the opponents in John Boehner's upcoming primary would tie him and force him into a runoff.

Posted by: Sphynx at December 11, 2013 08:38 AM (OZmbA)

375 The Progressive Trash Ruling Class would love McDonalds to double prices. Cause they don't think people should be eating there in the first place.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 12:35 PM (ZPrif)

Naturally. But the LIV Joe Schmoe on the street would say, "Fuck no!"

"Are you in favor of a minimum wage of $10 per hour?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. Put some more money in the pockets of those workers, give 'em a better shot."

"Are you in favor of McDonald's raising the prices of their food by a dollar? So Dollar Menu items would cost $2, etc."

"Hell no! What do they think I am, made of money?"

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:38 AM (4df7R)

376

Two points:

(1) Theoretically, given the administration's purposely vague definition of "enrollment," it's possible that NO ONE has actually purchased any insurace through Obamacare. Some one should ask Sebelius to refute this. She has consistently been unable to answer detailed, real time questions about the numbers, and I would love to see her try to deny this possibility.

(2) What does very low enrollment do to the insurers' profitability? Even if you assume that the pool is balanced actuarily, the total insurance market seems to have contracted by approximately 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 cutomers, at least for the moment. Which insurers are going to take that market share hit? When do they begin disclosing this to their shareholders?

Posted by: bs at December 11, 2013 08:39 AM (6x1q+)

377 I doubt that anyone in the Democrat Obama DC bubble of Congress or Obama's Obamacare advisors actually know anyone or know of anyone who has lost an insurance plan or who's costs are going dramatically up. I'm not even sure the Republicans do They rarely talk to anyone who isn't part of the bubble, so Patty Murray can yammer on all she wants. It's uninformed nonsense.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2013 08:40 AM (BC6cY)

378 There are now 4 million shoeless, and 1 million with super expensive shoes, most often paid for by someone else. There also people wearing Arctic suitable winter boots on Palm Springs.

Posted by: Northernlurker, moron wannabe at December 11, 2013 08:40 AM (BLAfs)

379 Act surprised! Daily Mail U.K. ‏@DailyMailUK 20m Universities can segregate men and women if religious extremists demand it http://dailym.ai/18UBng4

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 08:40 AM (h4eud)

380 I've seen some really funny YouTube reviews of McDonalds from Brits who somehow think that McD's is the pinnacle of hamburger restaurants.

Posted by: Sphynx at December 11, 2013 08:40 AM (OZmbA)

381 Somebody doing fake signing is so offensive. Did they think nobody would notice?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2013 08:41 AM (BC6cY)

382 Thanks! I'm finally feel a bit optimistic. Now watch, he'll get a spot bonus that completely unravels our plan. Ha. What a strange position to be in.

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 12:28 PM (hFL/3)

That is pretty weird. "Please, please, please don't let us make any more money!" But like you said, that's Obamanomics.

Posted by: Insomniac at December 11, 2013 08:41 AM (DrWcr)

383 I guess the minimum wage thing is the ultimate outsourcing of thinking that has happened to Americans. The "experts" (and it this case, it's Krugman mostly) say the minimum wage is just fine, sorta. Well, it's actually awful, but not too awful, so shut up. Krugman knows he's being dishonest, but because nobody wants to think for themselves and they only hear those nasty greedy conservative types railing against the minimum wage and no responsible voices on the left oppose it, it must be part of the conspiracy that is economics. I suppose it's inevitable that we've come to this point.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 11, 2013 08:42 AM (T0NGe)

384 We're Oneness Pentecostals and the statement of faith is really explicit about the "persons" of the Trinity.

It's not a trivial thing among some sects, and I say this as a sort of Arian in a denomination that requires us to recite the Quicunque Vult at least one a year.

Posted by: toby928© heretic at December 11, 2013 08:42 AM (evdj2)

385 Re: the minimum wage Touchscreens of the world, unite!

Posted by: AmishDude at December 11, 2013 08:43 AM (T0NGe)

386 My brother just jumped from medical device sales to software sales. He called me a couple of months ago to get my opinion. He told me he was a little scared because of his dearth of IT knowledge. I told him not to worry about it because he'd come up to speed in a matter of weeks. I have a pretty good idea of how much he had to hit the books to stay current with his old company's product. I also knew a lot of medical tech and pharma reps in the '90s when I was a gym rat. They joked about how all they did was cater lunches, but these were pretty sharp people. IT sales is just buzzwords, white papers, setting up meetings with pre-sales techs, and—in the company he joined—kickbacks up to and including offering to hire on people who ok the decision to buy what they're pitching if the sale is big enough. The average tech sales rep I've known is just a booth babe barely more product literate than the myna bird in the pet section of Goldblatt's when I was a kid. I remember the first time (June 1995) I ever saw those women's slacks that are fitted so that the ass cheeks are separate. The sales rep from the company that had a Blanket Purchase Authorization contract with the agency I worked for wore them into the office with heels. When she walked, it looked like a couple of puppies duking it out in a sack. As pretty and as nice as she was, she would regularly have to ask questions like whether hard drives would be categorized as hardware or consumables.

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 11, 2013 08:44 AM (V3kRK)

387 It is interesting that the Faustian bargain the insurers made with the administration may come back to bite them in the posterior. The number of cancellations that result from the regulations and end with opting out may far exceed the new signups that can actually pay. Mind you, I'm sure they thought of that - haven't done the math on the subsidies, they may be getting a huge bonus out of our pockets anyway.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 08:44 AM (qyfb5)

388 374 Somebody doing fake signing is so offensive. Did they think nobody would notice?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2013 12:41 PM (BC6cY)

Not half as bad as the fake leaders there actually speaking words and taking selfies.

Posted by: Havedash at December 11, 2013 08:44 AM (gvqyH)

389 I'm told the fisher rep wept with joy that day. A stroke of a pen and...well...his numbers for the next 5 years were met.

I've done that for a rep before. It's impossible for a rep to beat a multi-million dollar sales quota year after year.

The companies have special rules about "windfalls" like these. The usual reps performance plan makes them try to increase their numbers by 5% a year or so. If they are lucky enough to sign something really huge, like your freezer replacement program, then special rules kick in. A certain percentage of that figure is commission to the rep, so he's happy. Then the rest of it is divided up across the teams working in that district, or something like that.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:44 AM (GQ8sn)

390

Anyone hear the new Christmas song?

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth and a new thread.

Posted by: polynikes at December 11, 2013 08:44 AM (m2CN7)

391 Debbie W.S. as Fang of course

Posted by: CHAOS at December 11, 2013 08:45 AM (SO2Q8)

392

The hottie reps need their numbers, and I'm holding the signing pen.

We can work out an "agreement".

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:31 PM (GQ8sn)

Does that really work? Because, frankly, beyond a "hey, flash me a glimpse of those cans and I'll sign," I can't imagine a rep whoring out.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 08:45 AM (zF6Iw)

393 When she walked, it looked like a couple of puppies duking it out in a sack.

I see you are a member of the "rescue" club.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:46 AM (GQ8sn)

394 Whoa: Daily Caller reporting some ugly, vile news about Lamar Alexander's chief of staff. That is not good at all. Blaze also reporting it.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 08:46 AM (ZPrif)

395 " It's not a trivial thing among some sects" Oh trust me, I know! A lot of churches view us as straight up heretics, and there are many Pentecostal churches that view Trinitarians in the same way. We're in an odd position because we are Oneness but not UPC so we're heretics from both sides. I find it a bit funny though because the UPC's complaint against Trinitarianism is that it is extra-bibilical and created by man, but they have all sorts of extra-bibilical holiness standards that were...created by man. Anyway, all that to say I can definitely see Samaritan having issue with us joining which I find really sad because I don't see Trinitarians as heretics at all, but what can you do?

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 08:46 AM (hFL/3)

396 378 Re: the minimum wage

Touchscreens of the world, unite! Posted by: AmishDude

Yep. That is where this is going. Swipe your own card. I swear, Americans have become plumb stupid, collectively. When I was growing up we heard the phrase "priced yourself right out of a job...."

Posted by: backhoe at December 11, 2013 08:46 AM (ULH4o)

397

Posted by: Dr Nick at December 11, 2013 12:36 PM (Pr6hk)

Hi, Dr. Nick!

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 08:47 AM (zF6Iw)

398 Barbara Feldman fanboi note: David Janssen starred in a half-hour detective show, "Richard Diamond." He had one of those Ford convertible-hardtops, and the plot called for that roof to go up or down once in every episode. And he had an answering service, that he called in to for clues and such. And you never saw anything of the answering service girl but her legs, as she swiveled in her little office chair and oozed that sexy voice. Barbara Feldman.
____________________________

Benjamin Franklin funded the fortifications for Philadelphia with a lottery. He writes about it in his autobiography, because the Quakers had to vote against gambling in all the committee meetings, but then would send one Quaker to meet him outside and pick up their tickets. Kipling said it: "We are very slightly changed..."

Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 11, 2013 08:47 AM (xq1UY)

399 There was a case in CA involving "deaf culture." Apparently, they are a bunch of horn dogs and hooking up is common. So the next time you see someone signing, remmember you don't know where those fingers have just been...

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 08:47 AM (h4eud)

400 Does that really work? Because, frankly, beyond a "hey, flash me a glimpse of those cans and I'll sign," I can't imagine a rep whoring out.

In another life.

Reps who do that get canned.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:49 AM (GQ8sn)

401 Daily Mail U.K. Ã¾@DailyMailUK 20m
Universities can segregate men and women if religious extremists demand it http://dailym.ai/18UBng4
Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 12:40 PM (h4eud) /i]

I find all of this darkly comic.

The leftwing pinko extremist PC bastards have done everything they can to stamp out any kind of religious morality in the West.   But it's forced them to do two things:

1) Cater to true religious zealots from    backwards hellholes   who still believe that women aren't so much people as people-shaped animals, and "freedom of religion" is "freedom to practice my religion the way I tell you to."

AND

2) Cater to the uber-whackjob leftwing nutjobs who have replaced religious virtue with identity politics.      So   any intimation that a male finds a female attractive is met with castigation so extreme    they might as well throw the poor man in a pit and stone him to death.     This is objectification, and it is among the worst of the Secular Sins!

So in their quest to stamp out morality and basic decorum, the dipshit leftists have turned themselves into Puritanical ninnies    with   even stricter sexual mores than the damn Shakers.      And whereas the Religion of Peace strips women of all power, the Puritanical Leftwingers   strip MEN of all power.

But somehow that's okay, because vagina.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:50 AM (4df7R)

402 MWR is saved yet again!

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:51 AM (GQ8sn)

403 No, I think the fake signing is more offensive. People turned into see a memorial service for their former leader and they get some guy doing a fake routine?!!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2013 08:51 AM (BC6cY)

404 391 Barbara Feldman fanboi note: David Janssen starred in a half-hour detective show, "Richard Diamond." He had one of those Ford convertible-hardtops, and the plot called for that roof to go up or down once in every episode. And he had an answering service, that he called in to for clues and such. And you never saw anything of the answering service girl but her legs, as she swiveled in her little office chair and oozed that sexy voice. Barbara Feldman. Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 11, 2013 12:47 PM (xq1UY) Barbara Feldman is this nasty nasty bitch I went to school with. Barbara Feldon was the sexy actress. I guess no one remember the ad she did rolling around on the rug. It was a big hit.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 08:51 AM (h4eud)

405 No, I think the fake signing is more offensive. People turned into see a memorial service for their former leader and they get some guy doing a fake routine?!!

How did anyone not catch this guy before hand? I mean, like checking his credentials to see if he really knows signing. Maybe I'm assuming too much.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:52 AM (GQ8sn)

406 How did anyone not catch this guy before hand? I mean, like checking his credentials to see if he really knows signing. Maybe I'm assuming too much.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:52 PM (GQ8sn)

Forget it, EC. It's South Africa.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:52 AM (4df7R)

407 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:49 PM (GQ8sn) Heh, in the academic world, I was just trying to get my work done too, so the less time I could deal with reps the better. We weren't short on cash by any stretch, but I wasn't exactly working with industry levels of dollars. As I said, my deals were always based on excel sheets, and made while I was working at my bench. "Here's my current expenses, beat by at least X% and/or offer me some convenience to make it worth my while to sell this to my boss." If I was lucky I'd get donuts and coffee saved for me the next time they brought them in

. That was the best I could hope for.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 08:53 AM (GaqMa)

408 "? I mean, like checking his credentials to see if he really knows signing." Hey, he watched Signing Time a few times!

Posted by: Lauren at December 11, 2013 08:53 AM (hFL/3)

409 Forget it, EC. It's South Africa.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 12:52 PM (4df7R)

There's a line from "Blood Diamond" like that. Arnold Vosloo says it to Leo.

"TIA. This is Africa."

It means the same thing as the Chinatown line. That's just how things are done.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:54 AM (GQ8sn)

410 How did anyone not catch this guy before hand? I mean, like checking his credentials to see if he really knows signing. Maybe I'm assuming too much.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:52 PM (GQ8sn)

The same way we got Obama 2008 and Obama 2012.

Posted by: Havedash at December 11, 2013 08:54 AM (gvqyH)

411 Any guesses when the Ewok might toddle to the computer today?

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:54 AM (4df7R)

412 But somehow that's okay, because vagina.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 12:50 PM (4df7R)

hmmmmm, vagina

Posted by: pavlov polynikes at December 11, 2013 08:54 AM (m2CN7)

413 397 - I remember 'Richard Diamond'. Also, if I recall, he had a trick gun-carrier that was under the dash of his car. He could push a button (or something) and a hidden carrier of sorts would unfold from beneath the dash revealing a revolver.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 08:55 AM (aDwsi)

414
hmmmmm, vagina

Posted by: pavlov polynikes at December 11, 2013 12:54 PM (m2CN7)

Aren't you supposed to make a "walks into a bar" joke about that?

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:56 AM (4df7R)

415 I think the guy worked as an interpretor for some other gov official. He's probably somebody's kid. Some of the people said he was just a bad signer - not an impostor.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 08:56 AM (h4eud)

416 If I make it through this week at work without losing my shit, it will be a miracle.

Posted by: DangerGirl at December 11, 2013 08:57 AM (P1Tw6)

417 Pinkman, if I'd known you knew her that well I'd have never done that stuff to her.

Ah, Barbara.

Yeah, that actress chick was hot too. But I never met her. Obviously, never even knew her name.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 11, 2013 08:57 AM (xq1UY)

418 If I was lucky I'd get donuts and coffee saved for me the next time they brought them in . That was the best I could hope for.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 12:53 PM (GaqMa)

I wish I could show you the VIP room, so to speak.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 08:58 AM (GQ8sn)

419 I see you are a member of the "rescue" club. Nice, but I'm a tits man, myself. My boss there (and the guy with the keys to the BPA) was an ass man. A few years later, we were working together for a consulting company and on a work trip in Raleigh-Durham. We were filling up the rental car on the way back to the airport, and he went in to buy some smokes while I pumped the gas. When he came back to the car, this guy suddenly froze with his face locked into a stare so intense that I thought he was suddenly ill. A fairly attractively built woman (I didn't see her face) who had just gotten out of her car at the next line of pumps was wearing loose slacks of very thin material and very obviously had thong underwear (or perhaps no underwear) on underneath. I actually had to physically nudge this guy to snap him out of it.

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 11, 2013 08:58 AM (V3kRK)

420 Any guesses when the Ewok might toddle to the computer today? Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 12:54 PM (4df7R) Hide posts from (4df7R) If you compose a truly epic, world-shaking rant, it's almost guaranteed a nood will be up before you hit "post."

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 08:58 AM (qyfb5)

421 [iThere's a line from "Blood Diamond" like that. Arnold Vosloo says it to Leo.

"TIA. This is Africa."
It means the same thing as the Chinatown line. That's just how things are done.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:54 PM (GQ8sn) [/i]

It reminds me oddly of Terry Pratchett's description of maps of Uberwald, where cartographers will label all the big, blank spaces on the map "MMBU," for "Miles and Miles of Bloody Uberwald."

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 08:59 AM (4df7R)

422 Also, from Wiki, Richard Diamond: " His secretary, "Sam", was shown only from the waist down to display her beautiful legs. Initially, these were the legs of Mary Tyler Moore for seven episodes, but later the legs of other actresses were seen."

Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 08:59 AM (aDwsi)

423 hmmmmm, vagina Posted by: pavlov polynikes at December 11, 2013 12:54 PM (m2CN7) Aren't you supposed to make a "walks into a bar" joke about that? Vaginas walk into bars everyday.....

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 09:00 AM (cUARf)

424 410 Pinkman, if I'd known you knew her that well I'd have never done that stuff to her. Ah, Barbara. Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 11, 2013 12:57 PM (xq1UY) Please. When people saw her coming they ran in the opposite direction.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 09:00 AM (h4eud)

425 If you compose a truly epic, world-shaking rant, it's almost guaranteed a nood will be up before you hit "post." ----------- It is some sort of natural law..., we ought to coin a name for it.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 09:00 AM (aDwsi)

426 So according to NRO, we're not allowed to complain about the budget deal because it might take the focus off Obamacare? How many times are they going to use this crap? Besides, what focus? RCP has about 1-2 articles a day, if that. The MSM is pretty well ignoring except to rah-rah stories.

And re: Richard Diamond, I collect old TV shows and have that one. Love, love it.

Posted by: jeannebodine at December 11, 2013 09:00 AM (2LJqa)

427 If you compose a truly epic, world-shaking rant, it's almost guaranteed a nood will be up before you hit "post."

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 12:58 PM (qyfb5)

lol! It's sad but true.

I'm not feeling in a terribly ranty frame of mind at the moment, though. Just dulled to the stupidity that is life in the modern US of A.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 09:01 AM (4df7R)

428 It is some sort of natural law..., we ought to coin a name for it. Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 01:00 PM (aDwsi) Hide posts from (aDwsi) The Lame Duck Post? Being Willowed?

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 09:01 AM (qyfb5)

429 Any guesses when the Ewok might toddle to the computer today? Cutting and pasting from Hot Air takes time, dammit!

Posted by: garrett at December 11, 2013 09:02 AM (HkeqY)

430 Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 12:58 PM (GQ8sn) Heh. As I said, the mice would not have dissected themselves. I'm sure there were lots of techs and PI's who spent time schmoozing the reps, they didn't have an average daily colony census of over 500. Cell culture leaves you with more free time than live animal work.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at December 11, 2013 09:02 AM (GaqMa)

431 hmmmmm, vagina
Posted by: pavlov polynikes at December 11, 2013 12:54 PM (m2CN7)

Aren't you supposed to make a "walks into a bar" joke about that?

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 12:56 PM (4df7R)

I've got a couple loaded up to go but this thread is dead.

Posted by: pavlov polynikes at December 11, 2013 09:02 AM (m2CN7)

432 If this post gets many more comments, the blog will capsize.

Posted by: Hank Johnson (D) Georgia at December 11, 2013 09:02 AM (Pr6hk)

433 I'm not feeling in a terribly ranty frame of mind at the moment, though. Just dulled to the stupidity that is life in the modern US of A. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 01:01 PM (4df7R) Hide posts from (4df7R) {{mostly respectful hug with appropriate hand placement lasting slightly longer than friendzone dictates}}

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 09:03 AM (qyfb5)

434 Nice, but I'm a tits man, myself.

Reps can't show cleavage, but they can still go tight and low.

I had an older cougar rep that would dress like Christina Hendricks straight out of Mad Men with the extremely tight pencil skirt and blouse that looked like it was poured onto her. I was the only person she would see in my building and every guy there had to stop by my office when she was visiting.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 09:03 AM (GQ8sn)

435 It is some sort of natural law..., we ought to coin a name for it. Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 01:00 PM (aDwsi) Hide posts from (aDwsi) The Lame Duck Post? Being Willowed? Sith's Law.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 09:03 AM (cUARf)

436 It is some sort of natural law..., we ought to coin a name for it.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 01:00 PM (aDwsi)

I call it the Willow is Magic Effect, since it seems to happen to poor willow so often.

I'm actually going to take this opportunity to nip down to Joann Fabric and spend money I don't have on things I probably don't need. If the FSA can do it, why can't I? Hopefully when I get back there'll be a new thread about which I can't get my Ranty McRanterson groove going.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 09:03 AM (4df7R)

437 A bar walks into a vagina...

Posted by: Countrysquire at December 11, 2013 09:03 AM (LSJmV)

438 If you compose a truly epic, world-shaking rant, it's almost guaranteed a nood will be up before you hit "post." ----------- It is some sort of natural law..., we ought to coin a name for it. Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 01:00 PM ----------------- Rantus Interruptus

Posted by: irright at December 11, 2013 09:04 AM (Ze8oh)

439

Miller's law. (named for Dennis Miller)

Posted by: pavlov polynikes at December 11, 2013 09:04 AM (m2CN7)

440 {{mostly respectful hug with appropriate hand placement lasting slightly longer than friendzone dictates}}

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 01:03 PM (qyfb5)

...I suppose this would be an inappropriate time to goose you, since you're being so respectful and all.

*cough*

*gambols away!*

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/b][/i][/u] at December 11, 2013 09:04 AM (4df7R)

441 Any guesses when the Ewok might toddle to the computer today? Perhaps...what if we reverse the polarization of the tachyon emitter array? Maybe that would get Ace up and running?

Posted by: Cmdr Data at December 11, 2013 09:04 AM (HkeqY)

442 Y'know, that Christian school teacher with the naked photos has a pretty hot body. Not sure why she's so upset that the pic are online. It's to be presumed in the modern world that if you take a nude selfie of yourself, there is a 100% chance that one way or the other it will end up online sooner or later. It was just a little sooner than she might have expected. She might have even had a boob job, from the looks of it. In which case she's already in show-off "look at me" mode. The Lord gave us these bodies. No need to be ashamed!

Posted by: zombie at December 11, 2013 09:05 AM (+cx5n)

443 Since we're killing time, '12 Tips on Bar Etiquette': http://takimag.com/article/12_tips_on_proper_bar_etiquette_gavin_mcinnes#axzz2nB7RtxNr

Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 09:05 AM (aDwsi)

444 ...I suppose this would be an inappropriate time to goose you, since you're being so respectful and all. *cough* *gambols away!* Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at December 11, 2013 01:04 PM (4df7R) Hide posts from (4df7R) Hey, best thing that will happen to me all day.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 11, 2013 09:06 AM (qyfb5)

445 Any rant post comment 200 or so on a day thread has a decent chance of being lost in the new thread ether.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 09:06 AM (ZPrif)

446 Y'know, that Christian school teacher with the naked photos has a pretty hot body. Not sure why she's so upset that the pic are online. It's to be presumed in the modern world that if you take a nude selfie of yourself, there is a 100% chance that one way or the other it will end up online sooner or later. It was just a little sooner than she might have expected.

She might have even had a boob job, from the looks of it. In which case she's already in show-off "look at me" mode.

The Lord gave us these bodies. No need to be ashamed!

Posted by: zombie at December 11, 2013 01:05 PM (+cx5n)

There's always public school for her!

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 09:06 AM (GQ8sn)

447 BTW, the WSJ has an article on how about 2000 WWII vets were lobotomized by the VA. No word from Colin Powell yet.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 11, 2013 09:06 AM (T0NGe)

448 She might have even had a boob job, from the looks of it. In which case she's already in show-off "look at me" mode. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Definitely has had a boob job, so I cannot give it my full approval.

Posted by: Countrysquire at December 11, 2013 09:07 AM (LSJmV)

449 The Lord gave us these bodies. No need to be ashamed! Posted by: zombie ------------------- He also gave us nettles. Some things were given to remind us to be humble, which would be *my* body.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at December 11, 2013 09:07 AM (aDwsi)

450 I was the only person she would see in my building and every guy there had to stop by my office when she was visiting. Funny you should mention that. Another thing about the same guy was that when we were taking in the midnight ballet on a trip to Orlando, once all the girls cycled through the stage, he actually said, "They're repeating, let's go." Another coworker told him, "You know, if even the least hot dancer here worked in our building and wore regular business clothes to the office, you'd make an excuse to go past her office to try and catch a glimpse of her every day."

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 11, 2013 09:08 AM (V3kRK)

451 There's always public school for her! Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 01:06 PM (GQ8sn) In several states the nudies qualify her for tenure.

Posted by: Guido - 'now with 75+% more hate!' at December 11, 2013 09:08 AM (LsF5M)

452 Hey, that's a free, taxpayer-provided lobotomy. Evil Republicans would make you pay for your own lobotomy. You're welcome.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 09:08 AM (ZPrif)

453 Re Colorado pot: Try again in 2014 when it's legal to sell for recreational use and not just "medical". Decriminalization happened some months ago, but there hasn't been any mechanisms in place for legal sales yet. This is why, ahead of the vote authorizing pot taxes, the pro side was able to hand out free dime bags.

Posted by: Xander Crews at December 11, 2013 09:09 AM (Ul91r)

454 Funny you should mention that. Another thing about the same guy was that when we were taking in the midnight ballet on a trip to Orlando

Mons Venus?

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 09:09 AM (GQ8sn)

455 I assume we'll have circular firing squad threads today since Boner is the top of Drudge insulting other Repubs.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 09:10 AM (ZPrif)

456 Miley Cyrus wants a boob job.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 09:10 AM (h4eud)

457 446 Re Colorado pot: Try again in 2014 when it's legal to sell for recreational use and not just "medical". Decriminalization happened some months ago, but there hasn't been any mechanisms in place for legal sales yet. This is why, ahead of the vote authorizing pot taxes, the pro side was able to hand out free dime bags. Oh, the potheads are already complaining about the taxes. The pot taxes won't bring in dick. There'll be so much black market selling, CO won't see a dime.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 11, 2013 09:11 AM (T0NGe)

458 Since we're killing time, '12 Tips on Bar Etiquette' Try these 86: http://www.drunkard.com/issues/01-02/01_02_booze_rules.htm

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 11, 2013 09:11 AM (V3kRK)

459 Man, Gateway Pundit just had his insurance cancelled by Obamacare. The insurance that saved his life a few months ago. That he's still recovering from.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 11, 2013 09:12 AM (ZPrif)

460 The Lord gave us these bodies. No need to be ashamed!
-
Yeah, well, the Good Lord gave Michael Moore his body, too. The Good Lord and Pizza Hut.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 09:12 AM (XUKZU)

461 I'm betting Ace is writing a piece on Boner and Ryan's handling of the budget deal.

Posted by: FlatbushJoe at December 11, 2013 09:12 AM (ZPrif)

462 Mons Venus? Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 01:09 PM (GQ8sn) Now that brings back memories. one in Tampa shaped like a flying saucer. upstairs is where the real action happened. "honey, do you want the Happy Ending with the lap dance>"

Posted by: Guido - 'now with 75+% more hate!' at December 11, 2013 09:13 AM (LsF5M)

463 Miley Cyrus wants a boob job.
-
Typical. What she really needs is a brain job.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 11, 2013 09:13 AM (XUKZU)

464 Miley Cyrus wants a boob job.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 01:10 PM (h4eud)

Won't help.

Posted by: EC at December 11, 2013 09:13 AM (GQ8sn)

465 In pharma, there are two kinds of reps: the guys, who chase the docs up and down hallways trying to get their electronic signature, and the hotties, who get invited into the doctor's office.

Posted by: Caliban at December 11, 2013 09:14 AM (DrC22)

466 new thread, I shittest thee not

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at December 11, 2013 09:14 AM (B0gqn)

467 449 Miley Cyrus wants a boob job. Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 01:10 PM (h4eud) Molly Cyrus IS a boob job.

Posted by: Caliban at December 11, 2013 09:14 AM (DrC22)

468 "No word on the demographics" means they suck.

Posted by: Jean at December 11, 2013 09:15 AM (4JkHl)

469 449 Miley Cyrus wants a boob job. Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 01:10 PM (h4eud) So she'll be the first. The first person to go from true mainstream success to porn. I thought it might happen earlier, when porn was really lucrative. For some girls it was a real struggle if they got an offer. Softcore, especially. It was a lot more than you could make if you didn't make it. Now, of course, porn is a really terrible way to make a living.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 11, 2013 09:15 AM (T0NGe)

470 Having run the private insurance gauntlet before, I can say that .. if I had to run it again, there's no way in hell I'd give my information to the government-run web site. The cost potential for identity fraud, not to mention illegally being dumped onto cold-call lists, outweighs the benefit of the subsidy, eh? I'd take the hit on the subsidy and find an agent I trust, if I had to do it again .. Mew

Posted by: acat at December 11, 2013 09:18 AM (4UkCP)

471

I had an older cougar rep that would dress like Christina Hendricks straight out of Mad Men with the extremely tight pencil skirt and blouse that looked like it was poured onto her. I was the only person she would see in my building and every guy there had to stop by my office when she was visiting.

**deep sigh, mixed with sadness and longing**

Bunk.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 11, 2013 09:19 AM (zF6Iw)

472 Mons Venus? I don't think so. IIRC, it was a topless place (may or may not have required pasties) on SOBT a little north of West Oak Ridge Road. I think it had "Platinum" in its name. This was probably '98 or '99. I just brought up Google Maps, and I think it was where Stars Men's Club is now. The Google street view looks right.

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 11, 2013 09:19 AM (V3kRK)

473 Cyrus has a net worth of over $120 million.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 09:19 AM (h4eud)

474 Nood!

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2013 09:19 AM (cUARf)

475 Ace had a tough night: http://goo.gl/msfFas

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 11, 2013 09:21 AM (h4eud)

476 I agree with the comment upthread (JBodine?) that the MSM are in full Journolist. I saw any number of Left pundits talking about Part D and in perhaps the funniest exchange the imbecile Juan Williams argued that the pharm companies "fought hard" against the ACA. As I recall they all were forced to cut a deal to pony up tens of millions for pro OCare TV blitzes and in return they would cut prices on a few drugs but be allowed to jack prices on others. It was widely reported. How anyone alive today cannot remember the arm twisting of AARP and ALL the real insurance and pharm companies is insane. It is so very depressing how quickly we have turned into an actual banana republic. Five fucking years and already we have soviet speak throughout the culture.

Posted by: Daybrother at December 11, 2013 09:26 AM (z5la+)

477 The Mons. Ahhh, the standard by which all should be judged. Tampa, fwiw.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at December 11, 2013 09:27 AM (1Sw7Y)

478 BTW, the "death spiral" can kick in in many ways, not just the obvious one of imbalance between the older and sicker against the younger and healthier. The total numbers in private coverage are absolutely needed to cover the benefits to all the free-riders and heavily subsidized (who of course are motivated to enroll, as are the already sick).

Lack of payment is another way, and those exchanges reporting show very low percentages who have paid their first month premiums - the ONLY way they can be covered on January 1.

It is crashing and burning before our eyes. All on its own.

All is proceeding as I have foreseen.

Posted by: Adjoran at December 11, 2013 10:35 AM (473jB)

479 The last time a party pushed agenda, pushing caution aside...chernobyl happened.

Posted by: chernobyl at December 11, 2013 10:37 AM (51MAt)

480 This whole business will get out of control. It will get out of control, and we'll be lucky to live through it.

Posted by: Bluedog803 at December 11, 2013 10:55 AM (fg6Y2)

481 Somebody doing fake signing is so offensive. Did they think nobody would notice? Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2013 12:41 PM (BC6cY) I bet that person was owed a favor but wasn't invited, so they gave them a job and figured the tributes to Mandela would drown out any reportage of the fake.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at December 11, 2013 11:03 AM (Y92Nd)

482 Five fucking years and already we have soviet speak throughout the culture. Posted by: Daybrother at December 11, 2013 01:26 PM (z5la+) That was how TFG got elected. It was racist to point out his actual record and his associations. That and the $550 billion electronic bank run on September 15.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at December 11, 2013 11:19 AM (Y92Nd)

483 Called our insurance broker yesterday, took a while for her to return the call. "I just finished my first enrollment on Covered California!" she says. I ask: Did they provide a quote? Yes, she says, 40 Y.O. woman in good health, $220 a month. I say- my daughter is 26 and pays $262! What gives? The broker replies "That $220 is after the subsidy." What would that be? Original premium is at $531 with subsidy=$220! Subsidized at 59%. I say "I will think of her every time I pay my taxes." Then the conversation turns to business, and my stomach turns to acid.

Posted by: socalcon at December 11, 2013 02:52 PM (vHlQ5)

484 This is a whacked web site ..... More nuts than in a fruitcake....

Posted by: TomM at December 12, 2013 06:02 PM (8IT0a)

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