2006 State of the Union Address

[sterlingice]

Hadn't seen a thread about it, so figured it was time to make one. I won't be around but I'm sure they'll replay it on CSPAN for me.

Maybe when I get back later on tonight, I can turn this into a poll about approval/disapproval of the speech or something. Any ideas?

SI

[ISiddiqui]

He's preempting Scrubs! The bastard!

[oliegirl]

He's preempting Scrubs! The bastard!


And House! And Love Monkey!

Luckily Spike is running a CSI marathon...

[Easy Mac]

I don't think House was on tonight anyway. Thought it was another 2 hours American Idol.

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, same here, which is why I didn't mention House (I watch House and tape Scrubs on my DVR).

[Karlifornia]

I love being on the west coast

[flounder]

Apparently Cindy Sheehan is going to be in the audience. Hilarity may ensue.

[Celeval]

Apparently Cindy Sheehan is going to be in the audience. Hilarity may ensue.If hilarity means her being arrested for bringing a banner in, and being held for questioning through the length of the speech, then yeah.

[biological warrior]

Sheehan accordng to CNN has been arrested by Capitol Hill police.

[biological warrior]

Good opening paragraph and, the homage to Mrs. King, also good refering to Iran as a threat.
The advance of Freedom is the great moment of our time.''

[Easy Mac]

Just to let people know, the first words spoken by anyone at tonights event (by Cheney) occurred at 9:11 PM EST.

[Celeval]

Just checking, but did he essentially say anyone who didn't want the US to be in Iraq is a fraidy-cat?

[GoldenEagle]

Bush has become a much better speaker.

[Celeval]

Just to let people know, the first words spoken by anyone at tonights event (by Cheney) occurred at 9:11 PM EST.Actually, there was some kickoff stuff in there pre-9:00. ;)

[GoldenEagle]

The best part of watching this is the crowd's reaction. I mean, who do people watch to see if they should stand up?

[Celeval]

Bush has become a much better speaker.Agreed. He sounds not bad so far.

[Ben E Lou]

I'm listening on the radio. Is the aisle bird in position in a bright-colored dress?

[biological warrior]

So, far his best SOTU since 2002.

[ISiddiqui]

I hate State of the Union's where they obvious tug on the heartstrings. Yeah, the people lost a soldier and that's horrible, but what in the Hell does have to do with anything?

[Crapshoot]

Eh - except the Egypt bit, where the most powerful party (the Muslim Brotherhood) was "pressured" as to how many candidates it could put up. Egypt is no democracy.

[biological warrior]

Those sound like fightin' words .

[ISiddiqui]

Oh crap, calling out Iran... invasion anyone? ;)

[oliegirl]

I'm listening on the radio. Is the aisle bird in position in a bright-colored dress?


Ack - I hate, hate, hate Cynthia McKinney!!!!! Biggest Attention Whore ever in the history of politics...

[st.cronin]

Bush has become a much better speaker.

I think he's always been a good speaker - I think his celebrated malaprops were a put-on, an attempt to connect to the common man.

[ISiddiqui]

Like citizens of Iran are listening ;).

[biological warrior]

He has definately gameplanned this speech. Wonder if he fired the speech coordinator.

[ISiddiqui]

BOOOOOOO!!!

PATRIOT ACT sucks balls!

[Ben E Lou]

H. Clinton can sure look like a mean wench when she wants to.

[Ben E Lou]

Dola: I forgot about the TV tuner card. I've only used it for sports up to now.

[st.cronin]

He has definately gameplanned this speech. Wonder if he fired the speech coordinator.

The first 15 lines were scripted.

[GoldenEagle]

Hillary must want to sit back and wait to get hit. Her reaction to that was awesome.

[ISiddiqui]

Ah... spying on Americans without going through the fairly painless step of getting a FISA warrent. Let's cheer this violation of the 4th Amendment!

[ISiddiqui]

The first 15 lines were scripted.
LOL! Gold!

[Easy Mac]

I believe Bush quoted Braveheart.

[ISiddiqui]

Well there was the whole "Debt is good for the economy".

But I have to give props for the immigrant stuff... bucking his own party loyalists there.

[Crapshoot]

Well there was the whole "Debt is good for the economy".

But I have to give props for the immigrant stuff... bucking his own party loyalists there.

I missed the immigrant stuff - what did he say ? Bush is very much on the pro-business side of the GOP on that.

[st.cronin]

Well there was the whole "Debt is good for the economy".



There is no question that some debt *is* good for the economy. Too much debt, though, is bad for the economy.

[Easy Mac]

<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 48pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="64"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><col> <tbody></tbody><tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"></tr></tbody></table><table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 48pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="64"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><col> <tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table><table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 48pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="64"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><col> <tbody></tbody><tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"></tr></tbody></table><table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 48pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="64"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><col> <tbody></tbody><tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"></tr></tbody></table>Bush gives a "I'm a cute shy girl" smile.

[Crapshoot]

Did he just try and claim he's been a small government guy ? You've presided over the greatest increase in discretionary spending since the 2nd world War - hell, the WSJ has called you on it!

[Huckleberry]

I think he's always been a good speaker - I think his celebrated malaprops were a put-on, an attempt to connect to the common man.
In a word - no.

[ISiddiqui]

LINE ITEM VETO WAS DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL, JACKASS!

[Ben E Lou]

Hehehe. I love the way he looks at the libs and smirks.

[biological warrior]

Damn! the past 2 parts split through partisan lines.
Clinton is his brother? What happened to the 2000 slogan?

[vtbub]

That was too funny!

[Crapshoot]

From NR:

"SPENDING [Brian Riedl (Heritage)]
"Every year of my presidency, we have reduced the growth of non-security discretionary spending - and last year you passed bills that cut this spending"

This is a meaningless phrase. All he is saying is that annual discretionary budget authority (not actual outlays) excluding: A) defense, B) homeland security, and C) any and all supplemental bills from defense to Katrina to agriculture to veterans, have grown by a little less than the 15% growth rate that occurred in the year 2000. Not a remarkable accomplishment

The reality is that discretionary outlays are up 48% since 2001. Even excluding defense, homeland security, and Katrina, they are up 33%. "

[Easy Mac]

Gave a little kid "I just took a shit" smile.

[biological warrior]

Finally he's talkin' about the borders!

[Crapshoot]

Good bit on the open-markets - free trade is good, as a whole, for economies. Protectionists, especially on the left, need to understand that.

[Ben E Lou]

Finally he's talkin' about the borders!You think he's gonna do anything about 'em???

[biological warrior]

You think he's gonna do anything about 'em??? Probably not.http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Crapshoot]

You think he's gonna do anything about 'em???

I'm curious - what do you want him to do ?

[Easy Mac]

You know why doctors get sued? Because they fucked up.

[Crapshoot]

Meh - 22% for the DOE seems like chickenfeed. If you want to break oil dependency (a debatable goal in itself) - you either need to tax gas more in line with world prices, or subsidize the development of a hydrogen distribution network.

[Ben E Lou]

I'm curious - what do you want him to do ?Oh, I don't know. Maybe help get the existing immigration laws actually enforced, or if they're unfeasible, done away with. Winking at lawbreakers bugs me to no end.

[ISiddiqui]

Meh - 22% for the DOE seems like chickenfeed. If you want to break oil dependency (a debatable goal in itself) - you either need to tax gas more in line with world prices, or subsidize the development of a hydrogen distribution network.You think he's going to tax gas more? Or raise fuel efficiency standards that much?

[ISiddiqui]

That's right! You go Sandra Day!

[ISiddiqui]

NO! NO!

FUCK YOU you luddite! No wonder we are trailing in science :(

[Easy Mac]

Asks to vote against cloning, combining animals, or acknowledging the existence of the Swamp Thing

[Dr. Sak]

I'd have sex with Laura Bush

[Easy Mac]

Gives a shout out to his lady… he's getting some tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

You know why doctors get sued? Because they fucked up.
That is not true. Many if not most suits are frivlous just looking for a quick buck from the malpractice insurance provider. I've seen very good colleagues who did nothing wrong get sued.

[Easy Mac]

I'd have sex with Laura BushYou could do worse, don't you ThinK

[biological warrior]

Unlike the past 3 years he is laying down his plan instead of saying something abstract about the situation.

[ISiddiqui]

I was waiting for Kanye to come out and say "This man hates black people" when Bush was talking about the poor in disasters.

[Crapshoot]

You think he's going to tax gas more? Or raise fuel efficiency standards that much?

No - I question the goal of "reducing Middle East dependence" . But if that is Bush's goal, the most efficient way to do it is to tax one end of the spectrum or heavily subsidize the other.

[biological warrior]

That's right! You go Sandra Day! I'd hit it!

[Easy Mac]

That is not true. Many if not most suits are frivlous just looking for a quick buck from the malpractice insurance provider. I've seen very good colleagues who did nothing wrong get sued.I'd completely disagree with that from the things I've seen.

[vtbub]

You could do worse, don't you ThinK
Circle gets the Square!

[biological warrior]

WOW!!!

[Dr. Sak]

You could do worse, don't you ThinK


She's all yours buddy, you like the leg stubble

[biological warrior]

BEST.SPEECH.EVER.
Anyone have a transcript of that final page?

[Jesse_Ewiak]

Hmm....I wonder how Mullah Dobson is going to react to all this talk of "science." I thought Jesus gave us the Internet?

[Ben E Lou]

BEST.SPEECH.EVER.How so?

[biological warrior]

How so? Ok, maybe not the best speech ever but hat last page of the speech really got to me.

[ISiddiqui]

I think it was an average SotU in the recent history (Clinton, Bush 1, Reagan... ok, maybe a bit below average), but better than most of his other crappy ones.

[Ben E Lou]

There's Cynthia. Of course she was on the aisle, and in a bright-colored dress.

[vtbub]

An ok speech. He can sound downright Democrat at times. I didn't hear much on new policy tonight.

[Dr. Sak]

Circle gets the Square!

This coming from a guy who just told me he would do Barbara Bush...not one of the twins either.

[biological warrior]

The President was on the offensive tonite. He was firing on all cylinders. He really emphasized that we are a Nation at War (mostly forgotten by many americans) and we need to win:
Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage and we will finish well. We will lead freedom’s advance. We will compete and excel in the global economy. We will renew the defining moral commitments of this land. And so we move forward – optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause, and confident of victories to come. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.

[vtbub]

This coming from a guy who just told me he would do Barbara Bush...not one of the twins either.
Nope, I'm not into GGMILF.

[oliegirl]

She's all yours buddy, you like the leg stubble


Am I missing something? I completely don't understand this comment, or the other ones leading up to this...I kinda think I might know, but then think I am probably wrong. Explanation please...

[Jesse_Ewiak]

Bush thinks science is great, except when its results conflict with the pet interests of some particular constituency. However, if ya' sell out scientific knowledge too frequently for political gain, people are going to question your sincerity the next time you try to explain how important science is to the nation. That's Bush's problem, and I frankly don't see how he's going to find a convincing way out of it.

[SFL Cat]

Spin...I want the spin....

spin, spin, spin, spin......

Does anybody ever give a rat's behind about the other side's response. I didn't even when Clinton was in office, and I couldn't stand him.

[Easy Mac]

Minimum of 1009 seconds of clapping by my count.

[ISiddiqui]

Who's giving the response tonight?

[Dr. Sak]

Am I missing something? I completely don't understand this comment, or the other ones leading up to this...I kinda think I might know, but then think I am probably wrong. Explanation please...

It is an inside joke between EasyMac and I. No worries

[Easy Mac]

This coming from a guy who just told me he would do Barbara Bush...not one of the twins either.I'd so do the younger barbara.

And don't worry oliegirl, its not about you.

[Easy Mac]

63 separate claps by my count... though I believe three of those were premature clappings.

[SFL Cat]

I'd love just one SOTU message where no one clapped until it was over.

[SackAttack]

The best part of watching this is the crowd's reaction. I mean, who do people watch to see if they should stand up?

I loved when the Democrats started hooting and hollering over his "Save Social Security" comment.

I firmly believe that every politician needs egg on their face once in a while, even if it's just a futile attempt to keep them humble.

[biological warrior]

This guy giving the DNC response looks like a rat. I bet he's in his comfy mansion while he talks about social injustice and change.

[Easy Mac]

Kaine just said "Thang"

[Celeval]

Aw, damn. I really wanted to hear Tim Kaine say that he saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.

[ISiddiqui]

Kaine doesn't seem like the best of speakers, but the speech is fairly solid so far.

[hoosiergoody]

now if BOTH sides of congress would do something as asked, we might get somewhere.

I never listen to the spin- people hear what they want to hear and re-state it to make their side's views glow

[NoMyths]

BEST.SPEECH.EVER.And Abe Lincoln weeps quietly in his grave.

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah! No Child Left Behind has been grossly underfunded! Good job Kaine... and slashing student loans as well. Good points!

[SFL Cat]

Abe Lincoln...great Republican

[GoldenEagle]

This guy was a poor choice to give the response.

[GoldenEagle]

One eyebrow is always higher than the other.

[Buccaneer]

Yeah! No Child Left Behind has been grossly underfunded! Good job Kaine... and slashing student loans as well. Good points!
Ah, yes, must be the libertarian response.

[SFL Cat]

Well, they say his star was rising in the Democratic Party....maybe not so much after tonight.

[Easy Mac]

This guys SOTU rundown here (http://www.southernmisanthrope.com/?p=44).

(since i vote democrat, read at your own risk, its also, unedited, so there are spelling mistakes, but i think its readable)

[Easy Mac]

Well, they say his star was rising....maybe not so much after tonight.His left eyebrow is playing the part of the star.

[vtbub]

He makes Al Gore sound like Bill Clinton.

[biological warrior]

I dont know about the inadequate body armor part. When I went to OEF we got em, and EVERYONE who crosses the Line has a kevlar vest.

[miked]

The President was on the offensive tonite. He was firing on all cylinders. He really emphasized that we are a Nation at War (mostly forgotten by many americans) and we need to win:
Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage and we will finish well. We will lead freedom’s advance. We will compete and excel in the global economy. We will renew the defining moral commitments of this land. And so we move forward – optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause, and confident of victories to come. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.

Yes, right from a Michael Douglas movie. I don't know why you are the speech's nuts so much, it's just a speech and most of what he promises (like so many others) will go unfulfilled. In 8 years, we'll be hearing another state of the union promising affordable prescription drugs for elderly, medicare reform, social security reform, and all the other stuff.

A few years ago he promised to increase the NIH budget by a nice sum. The new budget, adjusted for inflation and the money earmarked for bioterrorism research, is actually quite a nice reduction. Blah.

[vtbub]

Memo to Gov. Kaine. This is being seen outside of Virginia.

[SackAttack]

I think the eyebrow is the sane part of him trying to escape.

[Celeval]

Would there perhaps be a better way?

There's a better way.&lt;/ObligatoryWestWingMoment&gt;

[ISiddiqui]

They should have put Governor Warner or Senator Obama up there... but at least Kaine is making some good points... unfortunetly his charisma is just not there

[Easy Mac]

Do ya smell what Kaine is cookin!

[ISiddiqui]

Religious language in there... trying not to turn off the religious right?

[SackAttack]

If the Democrats sweep this guy under the rug, would that be the Kaine Mutiny?

[SFL Cat]

It don't smell too good, whatever it is.

[Schmidty]

What are you guys talking about? This guy's great!!!!

I put my daughter down for the night with the TV on in the background, and she fell asleep in .27 seconds. I need to record this.

[SFL Cat]

Religious language in there... trying not to turn off the religious right?

He had a Pat Robertson moment.

[biological warrior]

They should have put Governor Warner or Senator Obama up there... but at least Kaine is making some good points... unfortunetly his charisma is just not there Definately. He may have had good points but I was lost in the uneveness of his eyebrows.

[Easy Mac]

Scrubs is on!!!!

[Eaglesfan27]

Scrubs is on!!!!
It's a repeat.

[Galaxy]

I'd completely disagree with that from the things I've seen.

You in medicine?

As for what EF said, it's mostly truly. You got doctors working insane hours, on little sleep with patients who can be ungrateful for services, and regular joes like us who think we know what should be done, instead of letting professionals do it. Medicine is not a "safe-proof" practice.

[biological warrior]

You in medicine?

As for what EF said, it's mostly truly. You got doctors working insane hours, on little sleep with patients who can be ungrateful for services. Medicine is not a "safe-proof" practice. Nurses have it worse than doctors too. God Bless the aging nursing population. Seldom do I see a 20 something nurse. I see alot of older 40 something nurses worn down by the abuse and work overload they have to put up with.

[Galaxy]

Nurses have it worse than doctors too. God Bless the aging nursing population. Seldom do I see a 20 something nurse. I see alot of older 40 something nurses worn down by the abuse and work overload they have to put up with.

Can't disagree with that. Nursing is in such demand right now. The state of the medicaid/medicare is not helping doctors as well.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nurses have it worse than doctors too. God Bless the aging nursing population. Seldom do I see a 20 something nurse. I see alot of older 40 something nurses worn down by the abuse and work overload they have to put up with.
I absolutely agree with that. I'm blessed to be working with a GREAT nurse at my current clinic job, and it makes life so much easier. They bear a great deal of the burden of the healthcare system.

[Eaglesfan27]

The state of the medicaid/medicare is not helping doctors as well.
No kidding. With some of the cuts to reimbursements, I might have a tough choice to make in the near future.

[Easy Mac]

You in medicine?
That's completely unimportant. That's like asking if you are in the legal profession so that you can critcize it.

[Deattribution]

I hardly heard a word Kaine said... and it's funny because people were warning about his evil eyebrow over a week ago

http://images15.fotki.com/v246/photos/7/723557/2606350/kaine-vi.jpg


America, prepare to be creeped out by "The Eyebrow."

Read on for more...including a photo!
Print This Story
Jan 19th, 2006: 15:07:47
Kaine is the flavor of the month due to his recent victory in the Virginia gubernatorial race. Of course, he achieved victory by saying, largely, that he doesn't agree with Democratic policies (namely on abortion and capital punishment), but that he'd ignore his supposedly deeply-held beliefs and govern like a Democrat.

In other words, no one knows what Kaine stands for, because he doesn't stand for anything. But he's the new Democratic governor in a red state, so the Democrats think he can be an example for them. More power to them.

When you watch Kaine's response, however, be aware that you absolutely will not be able to concentrate on what he is saying. Why? Because of this:


Check out his eyebrow. It has a mind of it's own, moving up and down as if Kaine can't control it. It's the creepiest thing you'll ever see.

And I'm sure that's the only interesting item that will emerge from this Democratic response. But at least it gives us a reason to watch the speech. Otherwise, I can't imagine wasting the time when I'm sure there will be an exciting re-run of the 2001 World Series of Poker airing on ESPN6 at the same time.

[Galaxy]

No kidding. With some of the cuts to reimbursements, I might have a tough choice to make in the near future.

Isn't the quality of incoming students into med schools much lower due to "repressed" salaries (due to government programs, immigration, and high insurance costs), threat of lawsuits, skyrocketing costs of med schools, insurance costs, and high workload? I'm concern about our situation in 10-20 years.

[Galaxy]

That's completely unimportant. That's like asking if you are in the legal profession so that you can critcize it.

Of course it is. We do not have the experience or understanding of being on the other side in such a highly-intense, and complex, field. Unless your a patient who receives a lot of treatment by doctors, medicine, hospitals, then your just going by what you hear.

[Eaglesfan27]

Isn't the quality of incoming students into med schools much lower due to "repressed" salaries (due to government programs, immigration, and high insurance costs), threat of lawsuits, skyrocketing costs of med schools, insurance costs, and high workload? I'm concern about our situation in 10-20 years.
Medical School is still VERY competitive to get into (about 4% of applicants were accepted at the school where I work.) However, I think that work satisfaction is lower in the past 10-20 years. As far as the quality of students we accept (and residents) it fluctuates year to year. Some years, the school makes good choices, and some years you get a relatively weak class.

[sabotai]

That's completely unimportant. That's like asking if you are in the legal profession so that you can critcize it.You weren't just doing that, you said "I'd completely disagree with that from the things I've seen."

So what are these things you've seen that would make you completety disagree with ef27 saying many of the lawsuits are frivolous? Just a few anecdotal examples? A family member or friend once had to sue for malpractice, and thus most or close to all lawsuits are not frivolous?

[sterlingice]

Some random thoughts as I just finished the replay on C-SPAN:
* Seemed very devoid of specific content- usually there's some specific plan to kick off the year. Is he that worried about his lack of clout right now? I've noticed that when Presidents don't lay out specifics, they don't follow through at all.
* Nearly half of the speech was about "the war on terror". I used to beg for SotU speeches that spent half the time on foreign policy but this was just ridiculous. Guess you play to your strong points.
* I notice the illegal wiretapping got the exciting nickname of "terrorist surveillance program"
* I like the first part of his domestic speech- we really do need some reform in social security, medicare, medicaid. I also would like to see medical liability reform. I'm a little worried about the lack of specifics (see above), but hopefully he can get these done. And hopefully better than the perscription plan.
* He said "nucular"
* Him talking about ending the oil addiction just seemed like Michael Jackson talking about child care reform or something
* Kaine was just not a good choice for rebuttal
* The C-SPAN callers, um, suck

SI

[sterlingice]

Ok, put up a poll (since I couldn't add one here)

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=46782

SI

[MrBigglesworth]

* I like the first part of his domestic speech- we really do need some reform in social security, medicare, medicaid. I also would like to see medical liability reform. I'm a little worried about the lack of specifics (see above), but hopefully he can get these done. And hopefully better than the perscription plan.
What 'reform' do you think needs to be done? I think some things need to be changed, but not the things Bush wants to do...

[sterlingice]

Social Security needs the age pushed back, commesurate with how people are living longer. And not gradually moved back in 25 years to 68. I mean in the next 5 years and 70 or even 72-75. And that's even with my parents about to hit that age.

Medicaid and Medicare. Man, that's such a mess I don't know where to start. And that's coming from someone who *likes* the idea of Canada or Scandanavian-style socialized medicine.

Lastly, medical liability needs to be scaled back for individual doctors. For corporations, that's a bit fuzzier of a topic. And pharmaceutical companies, fuzzier still.

SI

[Vegas Vic]

I was a bit shocked to see him do a 180 and embrace an energy policy espoused by Al Gore and John Kerry. Didn't Bush campaign on the idea that this would cripple our economy and cost jobs?

[wade moore]

For those of you laughing out how Tim Kaine talks....

You should have heard the other option for us...

[Drake]

Social Security needs the age pushed back, commesurate with how people are living longer. And not gradually moved back in 25 years to 68. I mean in the next 5 years and 70 or even 72-75. And that's even with my parents about to hit that age.

According to my latest retirement analysis, I'm not going to have enough money to retire even at 72-75. They could push it back to 90 for all I care. :)

[Drake]

For those of you laughing out how Tim Kaine talks....

You should have heard the other option for us...

Yeah, except Bin Laden couldn't get a visa.




(Joke. It's a joke. :) )

[Galaxy]

Social Security needs the age pushed back, commesurate with how people are living longer. And not gradually moved back in 25 years to 68. I mean in the next 5 years and 70 or even 72-75. And that's even with my parents about to hit that age.

Medicaid and Medicare. Man, that's such a mess I don't know where to start. And that's coming from someone who *likes* the idea of Canada or Scandanavian-style socialized medicine.

Lastly, medical liability needs to be scaled back for individual doctors. For corporations, that's a bit fuzzier of a topic. And pharmaceutical companies, fuzzier still.

SI

One idea that interests me is something they have set-up in Sweden in terms of malpractice lawsuits. Instead of going through the courts with a jury of common people, go to a special system that consists of a jury of medically-trained experts. No caps on the rewards, but I think it would be interesting concept.

[st.cronin]

Social Security needs the age pushed back, commesurate with how people are living longer. And not gradually moved back in 25 years to 68. I mean in the next 5 years and 70 or even 72-75. And that's even with my parents about to hit that age.

This seems so obviously true to me, as well. Even pushing back the retirement age 1 year would radically alter the financial outlook for social security, but it's an option that nobody is willing to consider.

[Klinglerware]

One idea that interests me is something they have set-up in Sweden in terms of malpractice lawsuits. Instead of going through the courts with a jury of common people, go to a special system that consists of a jury of medically-trained experts. No caps on the rewards, but I think it would be interesting concept.

This had been discussed before on the board. I like the idea--not only because qualified experts are at the heart of the system, but also because it has potential for cutting costs without a drop-off in victim's compensation. Some estimate that while settlements will be lower, victims actually net out the same or better, since legal expenses never come into the equation.

Others have pointed out that mandating a system like this is probably unconstitutional--so perhaps the best that can be hoped for is to have a dual system (expert panel-litigation) in which potential litigants are strongly encouraged to go through this system first, before attempting redress via the legal system.

[MrBigglesworth]

Social Security needs the age pushed back, commesurate with how people are living longer. And not gradually moved back in 25 years to 68. I mean in the next 5 years and 70 or even 72-75. And that's even with my parents about to hit that age.
Having to work longer is great for some people, but there are a lot of people out there that have jobs that make it impossible to work into their seventies, manual labor jobs for example.

Taxes as a percent of GDP are 3 or 4 percent lower than they were during the economic boom of the '90's. If taxes were raised back to prior levels, Medicare, Medicaid, and SS could all be adequately funded.

[Galaxy]

Having to work longer is great for some people, but there are a lot of people out there that have jobs that make it impossible to work into their seventies, manual labor jobs for example.

Taxes as a percent of GDP are 3 or 4 percent lower than they were during the economic boom of the '90's. If taxes were raised back to prior levels, Medicare, Medicaid, and SS could all be adequately funded.

Raising taxes is just a short-term band-aid, not a long-term solution. A drastic reform both in all programs, as well as the budget, is the solution. As for Medicare, Medicaid, and SS, they could be adequately funded now, but what happens when more Boomers request the need for assistant from the Medicare, Medicaid, and SS at the highest peak of that usage. Medicare and Medicaid costs are only going to go up, and will go up high, with the Boomers getting on board (and add in the health problems they may occur, may not be pretty).

[MrBigglesworth]

Raising taxes is just a short-term band-aid, not a long-term solution. A drastic reform both in all programs, as well as the budget, is the solution. As for Medicare, Medicaid, and SS, they could be adequately funded now, but what happens when more Boomers request the need for assistant from the Medicare, Medicaid, and SS at the highest peak of that usage. Medicare and Medicaid costs are only going to go up, and will go up high, with the Boomers getting on board (and add in the health problems they may occur, may not be pretty).
Putting taxes at the level they were in the late '90's would fund the programs into the infinite horizon, according to CBO budget calculations. That's not to say that the programs couldn't use some tweaks, but it's not an insurmountable problem that would ruin life as we know it. The best thing to do for Medicare/Medicaid would be to go to a nationalized system. That would control costs overall and based on all the evidence would lead to better health outcomes.

[Galaxy]

Did Sheehan get released? Also, why did they allow her in? You have to know she would do something.

[SirFozzie]

BTW.. did anyone get a kick out of folks standing up and cheering after President Bush said.. "Last year, Congress did NOT pass my plan for Social Security reform.." (intending to shame them with a naughty naughty..

instead folks cheered that they had stopped him. sounded like some Repubs too ;)

[Klinglerware]

BTW.. did anyone get a kick out of folks standing up and cheering after President Bush said.. "Last year, Congress did NOT pass my plan for Social Security reform.." (intending to shame them with a naughty naughty..

instead folks cheered that they had stopped him. sounded like some Repubs too ;)

I recall the same thing happening a couple SOTU's ago when Bush got an unintentional cheer when he said "The patriot act still hasn't been renewed..." or something along those lines...

[SackAttack]

BTW.. did anyone get a kick out of folks standing up and cheering after President Bush said.. "Last year, Congress did NOT pass my plan for Social Security reform.." (intending to shame them with a naughty naughty..

instead folks cheered that they had stopped him. sounded like some Repubs too ;)

And there were some boos and hisses when he mentioned something about needing to renew or make permanent the Patriot Act. Unfortunately, not enough spines in that room to do the right thing and kick that piece of trash to the curb.

[ISiddiqui]

Did Sheehan get released? Also, why did they allow her in? You have to know she would do something.Yeah, she got released:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353/

But Capitol Police will ask the U.S. attorney's office to drop the charges, NBC News’ Mike Viqueira reported Wednesday.

“We screwed up,” a top Capitol Police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He said Sheehan didn't violate any rules or laws.

[SackAttack]

“We screwed up,” a top Capitol Police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.He said Sheehan didn't violate any rules or laws.[/q]

Wonder if that means she's gonna find a lawyer and try to keep it in the spotlight.

[SirFozzie]

Wonder if that means she's gonna find a lawyer and try to keep it in the spotlight.

Interesting that either some wrong info got given out, or they tried to spin things worse..

Apparently Sheehan wasn't carrying a banner, she just had a t-shirt with an anti-war slogan.

Still right at the disruptive limit if you ask me, but I'm pretty sure that the inside the Capitol during the SotU address is not the time to do a protest

[SackAttack]

Interesting that either some wrong info got given out, or they tried to spin things worse..

Apparently Sheehan wasn't carrying a banner, she just had a t-shirt with an anti-war slogan.

Still right at the disruptive limit if you ask me, but I'm pretty sure that the inside the Capitol during the SotU address is not the time to do a protest

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Funny. The First Amendment doesn't say anything about "unless such protest is occurring during a government function."

And then there's this fun little tidbit (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/12/AR2005121201448.html)

I mean, I'm generally in the "We need to get the job done in Iraq and do it right" camp, but I strongly disagree with the way the GOP has handled recent First and Fourth Amendment issues.

[SirFozzie]

The first amedment doesn't say you can make a public nuisance of yourself..

wait a second..

I'm arguing pro-bush and Sack's arguing anti-bush?

This is just the introduction to the opposites, right? :D

[SackAttack]

Less anti-Bush, more anti-stupidity.

I'm also seething about the Administration numbskull who was arguing with a member of the press not too long ago over the wiretap scandal. His assertion: the Constitution does not include the words "probable cause."

Thank you very much. I'm voting for the Muppets in 2008.

[SirFozzie]

Thank you very much. I'm voting for the Muppets in 2008.

Oooooo Thanks Sack! Nice to know I can count on your vote.

[SackAttack]

I dunno, I was thinking Ernie. He's a nice, safe choice.

[sterlingice]

I dunno, I was thinking Ernie. He's a nice, safe choice.But what about those domestic parter Bert rumors that have hounded him for the last few years? Oh, the scandal!

SI

[SackAttack]

But what about those domestic parter Bert rumors that have hounded him for the last few years. Oh, the scandal!

SI

Well, I mean, it's him or Oscar, and I don't think Oscar's all that electable. The whole "Living in a trash can" thing probably won't play well with the environmentalists.

[sterlingice]

What's wrong with Big Bird? Besides, those are Sesame Street characters. Aren't the Muppets more like Kermit, Miss Piggy, etc?

SI

[SackAttack]

What's wrong with Big Bird? Besides, those are Sesame Street characters. Aren't the Muppets more like Kermit, Miss Piggy, etc?

SI

As far as I'm concerned, Sesame Street and the Muppets are equally viable.

[Galaxy]

What about Beeker?

[sterlingice]

As far as I'm concerned, Sesame Street and the Muppets are equally viable.So you're saying they're just two parties that stand for the same thing but with different names?

SI

[Raiders Army]

The first amedment doesn't say you can make a public nuisance of yourself..

wait a second..

I'm arguing pro-bush and Sack's arguing anti-bush?

This is just the introduction to the opposites, right? :D
FWIW, a Representative's wife was hauled off as well during the speech for wearing a "Support our Troops" t-shirt.

[SackAttack]

So you're saying they're just two parties that stand for the same thing but with different names?

SI

Close, but not quite. They're just two parties that, even with somebody else's hand up their ass, could do a better job than the ones currently in power.

[MrBigglesworth]

FWIW, a Representative's wife was hauled off as well during the speech for wearing a "Support our Troops" t-shirt.
She wasn't handcuffed, dragged from the Capitol, arrested, or jailed though. And from reports, I don't understand why she was taken out either. Besides the fact that it was just a t-shirt, who doesn't support the troops?

[biological warrior]

Oh, one thing I didnt herar is anything about THE AXIS OF EVIL!

[Eaglesfan27]

I see that the House approved the proposed medicaid cuts today. 0.4% doesn't seem like much, but I think this is going to cause some significant problems for poor kids who are trying to receive mental health services. If the bill goes through, the state run clinic that I work at is considering cutting a doctor (which means longer waits to see the doctor, less frequent visits, and a generally poorer level of care.) I might be biased since even though I'm liked at the clinic, I'm the newest attending there, and the most likely to be laid off. I guess this might force my hand in trying to make a tough decision.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, I noticed the Medicaid cuts were aimed at the poor and elderly

SI

[Jesse_Ewiak]

Well...Medicaid = poor and elderly ninety-nine percent of the time. So, it'd be sort of tough for it to be cut anywhere else. Not many CEO's need Medicaid.

[Drake]

With the introduction of Muppets, this thread became a great deal more promising.