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Jeff Tiedrich's avatar

I confess, this is at least the third time I've used the 'big wheel of moron' as a trope with which to begin a post

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Alison Parker's avatar

Blame it on the GOP, who seem determined to keep it relevant.

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Sad to say, Jeff is operating in a target rich environment. 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

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Doc Blase''s avatar

Determined to keep it elephant.

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Bob's avatar

Magnets work by electricity from sinking electric boats electrocuting sharks. The sharks become magnets and attract Hannibal Lector. The End.

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arne link's avatar

Finally, an explanation the common man can understand. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Lisa59's avatar

I think he's working on Hannibal's pardon right now.

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kdsherpa's avatar

Hilarious!!!

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Diana Hembree's avatar

I laughed out loud at this one.

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Charles Austin's avatar

😂😂😂

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Thank you thank you Bob. My eyes are open, and now I see !!!

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Doc Blase''s avatar

With fava beans and a nice chianti.

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Lucy Conner's avatar

😅😂🤣

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

I've gotta a helpful suggestion for Trump's latest "health care plan." The funds deposited in the account will be crypto, because we all know the value will be twice as much in a single year!

Also, we'll save all kinds of money on those worthless vaccines!

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Lisa59's avatar

Shitpants would hump any Health insurance lobbyist's leg for a piece of the pie. But it's reciprocal. They have to hump his in return. We know he doesn't give a shit. He just smells like it.

Project 2025 wants citizens to beg for their supper and be fucking grateful for the stone soup. It's all part of the plan. They're halfway there.

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Pam Humphrey's avatar

“We know he doesn’t give a shit. He just smells like it.” Genius! Pure unadulterated truth. I am so stealing it!

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Lady Emsworth's avatar

As is "He's not tough - he just smells strong. . ."

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Joe Witkowski's avatar

His prototype/model of his healthcare/deathcare plan is his rotting hand.

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Lisa59's avatar

That's perfect!

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Douglas Paul Truhlar's avatar

Today’s watery gruel has hints of limestone balanced with nuance of asphalt.

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Sharon Hudnall's avatar

Converting the Social Security Trust Fund to crypto Stable Coin is probably on next year's Big Wheel of Moron. And Schumer is down for compromising on that.

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Joyce's avatar

No--the Craven 8 Expert Crack Negotiating Team will be in charge. You know--the Senate crew that did such a bang-up job, ending the shutdown, that the Republicans got everything they originally wanted and the Democrats (and the American people) got zippity do dah. What skill!

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Pam Humphrey's avatar

It takes years and years and years to develop that kind of expertise. Years…

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Douglas Paul Truhlar's avatar

What did I miss? The shutdown was not ended that I know of.

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Elizabeth Schulz's avatar

Sen. Schumer didn't compromise on this shutdown. He wasn't part of 'the group' who're either retiring, not running for re-election OR - is he in fact playing 3D chess and everyone is wrong about what's going on behind the scenes? Full disclosure, I have always liked and respected Senator Schumer for his interactions with ME. The ball is now definitively IN Holy Mike's court: he MUST swear in Adelita Grijalva if Congress resumes session as it now looks inevitable AND then the Epstein Files are opened with her 218th vote WHICH should prove once and for all that donnydemento/pedo/perv is the LIAR we've been saying he is AND why they've been treating his convicted SEX OFFENDER PAL ghislaine maxwell as if she's a star celebrity? Of course, they'll undoubtedly rush donny to Walter Reed for a 'medical thingie' on the heels of the Epstein File release - just to soften the blow. Just watch. But IF we can get THAT done, then anything is possible - including people being paid AND possibly getting the orange traitor pig re-impeached, no? Can some of you let go of your hatred for Chuck Schumer for a moment and think about these possibilities? I've heard quite a few very wise people suggest these ideas and am intrigued. Even Lawrence O'Donnell had a very interesting take on it - and him. I love Lawrence for HIS take-no-prisoners late night show and personal knowledge about the inner workings of Congress. He makes his deep distaste for frump very, very clear yet hasn't ONCE been attacked - so far. Hmm.

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K. D. Guise's avatar

And if nothing else, SNAP is fully funded for another year and thus cannot be held hostage in January when the next shutdown is threatened.

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Leu2500's avatar

So the regime that defied a court order to fund SNAP, & has been violating the Anti Impoundment Act, is going to honor this deal? Sure, Jan.

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Dr J's Sanity Space's avatar

Agreed

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Leslie Goodman-Malamuth's avatar

Chuck Schumer will send a strongly worded letter, printed with a new cartridge onto the best quality cream laid paper.

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Ole Anderson's avatar

And guess Whose crypto company is going to broker all that Bitcoin buying? Shouldn’t add more than a few hundred $Billion to the price of conversion.

And when the crypto market goes down the drain in a few years carrying all our SS money with it what will we do?!?

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Charles Austin's avatar

Die. (That's what the oligarchs intend.😡😡😡)

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Declan's avatar

😆🤣🫨

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Teri Gelini's avatar

Just so we can loose it all and not have healthcare at all

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Robert Eckert's avatar

"our soft, pampered president hasn’t spent one second of his life on the phone with an insurance company. he has no idea what a fucking nightmare it is" Years ago, I was having back-and-forth with Blue Cross about continuing X-rays of how my broken leg was healing, I got "if you'd rather not wait the [whatever ungodly number of minutes] we can call you back" and I took the option.

They called back while I was in the shower, my roommate shouted in to me that it was them, and I said I'd be right out. He said, "Take your time! YOU HAVE BLUE CROSS ON HOLD! Savor it!"

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Teri Gelini's avatar

Perfect. I worked as an RN for a big hospital and more than once had to fight the insurance people as they were self insured. One of the times the physician had been paid and they directed me to the info to tell the insurance people where to get the info so they could get paid. The procedure was done in their own hospital. You just can’t make this stuff up

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KP Johnson Austin, TX's avatar

Arrrg! Don't give him any ideas!!!!!

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Dr J's Sanity Space's avatar

Kathleen: Don't give him ideas!!!!

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Norma's avatar

I love the big wheel of moron!

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Bob Bowden's avatar

Big wheel, keep on turning

Donny’s cult keeps un-learning

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SeekingReason's avatar

Good one Paw! 😄

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George in Atlanta's avatar

...'Cause it won't be too long...

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Susan Niemann's avatar

It's quite accurate. 👏👏👏

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Douglas Paul Truhlar's avatar

The wheel adds an element of suspense and danger to the post I love it, it reminds us that there are an infinite number of moronic possibilities since there is an entire library of true incidents of moron rated stories that make me all blinky like “wut?” that’s a real thing?

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Susan Keefer's avatar

The first photo of King Moron that you used is perfect! What a shithead. 🙄

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Carl Selfe's avatar

You are a fucking genius. There is no doubt.

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Wendy The Druid 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🌈's avatar

Nah, none of us know.

somad now.

https://thistleandmoss.com/p/promise-cash-erika-couchbottom-kirk-and-democratic-surrender

That said, however, Trump wants to save himself by giving us all 2000 dollars.

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Tess's avatar

“tooth fairy’s offshore account!!” This is a reality check for maggots!!!

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Cyndi's avatar

The one type of check they NEVER cash!

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Hollie Rood's avatar

😅😅👏👏👏

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Doc Blase''s avatar

In about two weeks?

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Jan Moon's avatar

Two ideas what he can do with the $2000: put it on SNAP cards . . . or . . . put it where the sun don't shine . . . because it's probably crypto. I hate receiving physical mail from the U.S. g'ment any more cause I don' know where it's been. Or I do and I have to burn it. Yeech!

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Michelle Marciniak's avatar

Big wheel of moron 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂 you are the BEST

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Steve in SoCal's avatar

Make it a weekly feature. There's an embarrassment of riches from which to choose.

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Doc Blase''s avatar

Raised eyebrows. (^人^)

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Permian Extinction's avatar

I can't believe I just laughed through the whole post.

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Ann Anderson's avatar

Trademark it.

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Mary Fedoroff's avatar

SPIN! THAT! WHEEL!

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Kate's avatar

Nowhammynowhammynowhammynowhammy STOP! 🤣

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Zija Pulp's avatar

The $$$ that will be given to us (from the government, like Medicare?) to “negotiate” with, uh—Whether the govt negotiates rates or individuals do, the $$$ is still going to the insurance companies. No way around that, sadly. Or is there a magic step I’m missing? This isn’t a plan. This is worse. Talk about a boondoggle.

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Patricia Gomes's avatar

Ok. Let me ponder this. You have a strep throat. I have open heart surgery. Do we receive the same amount of money to cover the cost ? What a conundrum.

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MountainBoyMike's avatar

it's o.k. dude, these are "unpresidented" times that call for drastic measures....was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor???....damnit....I'm fucking losing it here.....

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Doc Blase''s avatar

Before that the Japanese invaded Poland. And Stalin invented procrastination.

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Alison Parker's avatar

I see he's going full Insane Clown Posse. Great.

Also, we've now got notebooks full of ideas to add to the shelf next to Romney's binders full of women. A veritable stationery store, our GOP.

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Nancy Potter's avatar

The first time around, when he started blathering about insane ideas, you could see sensible people around him like John Kelly or Dr. Birx, looking like they just got a migraine, who we expected would talk him down once they got him off stage. This time, he surrounded himself with idiot sycophants who will try to put his ideas into action, and the most we can hope for is their incompetence.

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Joyce's avatar

Rational Americans were, have been, and always will be one with Dr. Fauci--that immortalized moment when he about imploded, trying not to simultaneously roar with outrage and laughter while Donnie Demento delivered his COVID pronouncements.

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rlritt's avatar

He surrounds himself with Fox News talking heads. The purpose: so nothing gets done. Its all distraction. Someone please tell me who is really behind this.

I just read in an article that Peter Theil thinks that critics of technology, financial innovation (?) and artificial intelligence are, legionaires for the Antichrist.

WT absolute F!!!!

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Doc Blase''s avatar

I do believe the reverse, though. The Talking Heads surround it. It does not surround itself.

Faux is on its knees for viewers and that means Faux is driven to pursue, amplify and endorse what Dumpty says. Remember how they were panicking over the loss of viewership for declaring Joe Biden's win?

It's that, and has always been.

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CA Productions/Carol Ann's avatar

LOL, who keeps notebooks full of notes? Tell the pious dumbbell we have computers now

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SeekingReason's avatar

I’ve got notebooks full of ideas on what type of death penalty should be used after his short trial.

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Pam Humphrey's avatar

I’d like to see him be forced to dance the two- handed jerk off dance to death.

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arne link's avatar

Hanging, with a bad drop would be nice.

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Peg's avatar

Mussolini style in the public square.

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Doc Blase''s avatar

Reference Nicolae Ceaușescu, December 1989.

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SeekingReason's avatar

😂

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Charles Austin's avatar

Impalement, most definitely.😂😂

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rlritt's avatar

He doesn't know how to turn computer on. He has to get Baron to do it.

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Pam Humphrey's avatar

Yeah. He might be on the spectrum but Baron is a technological genius. He can turn a computer off, too.

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rlritt's avatar

Amazing aptitude these Trump spawn.

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Ole Anderson's avatar

That doesn’t seem to be an event that happens often. Him seeing his most recent spawn, that is.

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arne link's avatar

Melanoma mostly keeps Baron hidden. I think he's on the spectrum or something.

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Ole Anderson's avatar

He’s on Something, all right. He is freakishly tall !

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Emma Ray's avatar

HaHaHaHaHa

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

On the shelf under those is the shelf full of Epstein files. That’s a really big shelf, bigger than anyone has ever seen…

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Eva Porter's avatar

Yeah, what is it with Republicans and notebooks?

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WebsterzEdu's avatar

Don’t forget Romney’s binders.

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WebsterzEdu's avatar

That would be a framework for a proposal of a notebook of a plan.

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Dana Jae Labrecque's avatar

\( ̄▽ ̄)/

Faboo, Alison!

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NEAL O'CONNOR's avatar

I'm with Bernie Sanders, senator from Vermont: Medicare for all! Healthcare is a human right!

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Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

I'm with Pete Buttigieg. Make single payer an option. Some people (like union members who got a good deal) LIKE their private insurance. Buttigieg went on to say -- during the 2020 campaign -- that if single payer is so attractive, and he believes it would be, people would be convinced to adopt it.

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Stephen Brady's avatar

That is what Traditional Medicare is, but the deductibles and Co-Pays are bad. There are a lot of inefficiencies built into the system which could be fixed and we would end up with a system like the Canadians and Europeans enjoy. We don't have such a system, because Rupert Murdoch (Faux Snooze), the rest of the oligarchs, The Health Insurance Industry, etc. are against it.

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Bob's avatar
Nov 11Edited

Part C isn’t really a fix, just another money funnel to big insurance companies.

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Michael Guenon's avatar

I have Supplemental F via AARP/United Healthcare. It was $128 a month when it began 7 years ago. It has doubled. Cannot wait for my surprise next year. I rarely go to the doctor. Just recently had to go to a cardiologist for tests. Mostly I use traditional Medicare and above for chiropractor and ophthalmologist. Have two prescriptions (blood pressure and cholesterol) and have seen drug plan go from $28 to $115 in same 7-year period. Co-pay is now $15. It was $5 last year. All doable for me but wonder about near future.

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Susan Kemp's avatar

I have the same plans but, I shattered my femur 6 years ago, had extensive surgery to put the pieces back together, spent 3 days in the hospital, spent 3 months in rehab, had first visiting nurses and physical therapist, then 3 months of physical therapy. It didn’t cost me a penny. The hospital room alone was more than $40K and I can’t imagine what a private room in the rehab facility would cost. Ditto for my broken hip two years later.

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Pam Humphrey's avatar

Caught my foot in a charger cord, fell and broke my hip in February. Had the same routine: surgery, recovery, rehab and home therapy. I got a copy of the hospital bill just the other day. United paid $99 ,000. I paid $245. They may be greedy uncaring bastards, but insurance can be a life savior. Medicare for all would be cheaper and save even more lives.

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Elizabeth Schulz's avatar

My husband too - last year: fell at home, fractured his femur. had JUST been diagnosed with osteoporosis so the fix was difficult, screwing the plate into fragile bone just above his knee (it's a long plate - he's tall. The same leg already had a stent in his groin THEN he needed a toe amputated on the foot of that same leg. He's bitched and moaned throughout the entire recovery process BUT has had excellent Surgeons and care both in Hospital and through rehab and afterwards. His visiting Nurse and therapist (for the leg) were terrific as well - ALL paid for with extremely small amounts here and there from us. I haven't totaled them, but not much more than Pam's. He didn't even avail himself of his VA benefits because Medicare paid for everything. Of course OUR coverage is due to his retirement from a corporation which he still gets as a retiree although they change things up every so often. In January they're switching to Humana from United Healthcare. Supposedly now we'll have Vision and Hearing care (he sure needs THAT, lol). ;) We've been very fortunate in that regard but with every enormous bill showing what was 'discounted' it always causes a huge pang, thinking of those who don't have what we do. How in the World can others afford to pay those bills?

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Stephen Brady's avatar

See below.

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Steve in SoCal's avatar

Yes, it's called "attained age" pricing. Transamerica used to offer an "issue age" plan, but dropped it a few years ago despite Medicare claiming it's still available. But any supplement plan is better than "Advantage" (it should be called "Advantage *wink wink*")

BTW, Cigna has a $0 premium Part D plan. If your meds are generic, get the Cigna plan but use Mark Cuban's "Cost Plus" pharmacy. The cash price is likely cheaper than the copay amount.

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MargaretT's avatar

I have a zero premium Medicare D plan this year, but I was getting dangerous side effects from a med in their formulary, and they have the safer substitute med that I was switched to in their highest level formulary, which meant I pay, and that was only after I filrd an appeal. So... I am switching to a different D plan next year that charges a small premium, but it also includes the med I need. The comparison tool at medicare.gov shows I save $1000 on meds next year despite changing to a D plan with premiums. And the D plans also depend on zip code. What a crazy maze.

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Michael Guenon's avatar

Thanks for the hint. Yes, I have generic, again through United Healthcare’s D using Walgreens. It is not prohibitive for me.

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Peg's avatar

I'm 80 and I've had Plan F for fifteen years. My premium has skyrocketed to almost $500 a month, and I'm fortunate to be able to afford it. I've never had a co-pay, and when hospitalized for a heart attack in 2019 the charges were close to $475K. I worry about when they'll start trying to dismantle Medicare.

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Steve in SoCal's avatar

Enjoy your comprehensive "F" plan; they are no longer offered. The closest thing is a "G" plan (what I have.)

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Elizabeth Schulz's avatar

Peg - IF you live somewhere where the Winters get cold, please try to google the Costco Winter or December(?) magazine issue. There's an EXCELLENT article on High Blood Pressure getting worse in the Winter - the cold affecting blood flow (and resulting in heart attacks) IF one doesn't layer properly, especially outside or hydrate by sipping WARM water - even warm water with lemon juice - other fruit juices, herbal teas. Dehydration is listed as being a real cause of clogging, causing heart issues - something I already felt, but previously hadn't read anywhere. I've been trying hard to get my husband to drink more water for ages - but he's very, very stubborn despite our doctor agreeing with me. I allow my bottled water to warm to room temperature before drinking it while Cola/iced tea are his choices and he's always getting sick. We're on Long Island where he's already complaining bitterly about how cold it is INside so he's putting the heat on already while the doggos, the cat and me are all gasping for air and I'mstill wearing my light Summer tops. Much good luck with your continued Medicare but don't fret: IF the orange fuckwit tried to do away with it, I think there truly would be a Civil War - We the People rising up and tossing him out on his corpulent, diseased lardass! along with bobby brainworm and the blizzard of oz (as jeff calls him). DO let us know if anything goes awry with yours, though?

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Charles Austin's avatar

I have Medicare, but can't afford the supplemental insurance that fills the "donut hole". Medicaid has been suggested, but there's a work requirement in Ohio, even for seniors. I'll be damned if I pick up trash along the roadside to "earn" my healthcare.

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Steve in SoCal's avatar

I have single-payer (traditional Medicare) plus a "G" supplement and love it. I can go to any doc and never get a bill for services.

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Cwalker's avatar

So do I, both the traditional and a supplement plan not a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan which they have been trying to shove down our throats for years now. MA private insurance is paid for by taxpayers and it has a built-in need for profit to pay big returns for their executives and shareholders!

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Mary Hall's avatar

Medicare "Advantage" plans piss me off. First of all, it is NOT Medicare so how TF are they able to use that in their name? Second, you can be dropped from an "Advantage" plan for no reason -- you got cancer? Sux to be you, bye! Third, "Advantage" plans were GeeDumbya Bush's attempt to privatize Medicare. Everyfkingthing with Rethuglicans has to be transactional.

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Cwalker's avatar

Yup, pisses me off, too. As does AARP which is a major pimp for United Healthcare’s MA plan. Whenever they have an article on navigating Medicare they often leave off the supplemental plans entirely! I admit the supplemental plans can be somewhat costly monthly, but the minute you need to use them, you understand why immediately. Two years ago my husband had a stroke, then two episodes of kidney failure, each instance requiring days of hospitalization, testing, dialysis, drugs, etc. Cost to us: not one penny. We have zero copays for everything. When my husband was sent for physical therapy, that office had a large sign in the window saying “If you have United Healthcare, please know your copayment requires an additional $30, due to their below cost payment for PT.”

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Karolyn G's avatar

That's what I've always wondered, how they are able to call it Medicare. Makes absolutely no sense. Ugh.

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Ginny Hall's avatar

Me too. I think this year it's going to be $350/month (on top of the medicare cost), but if you have a lot of healthcare requirements, it's so worth it. Also for peace of mind. And insider tip: my broker switched me to supplement plan G mid year (but on the first of the next month) when we knew I'd be facing high costs. So it seems that people can do that when needed, at least here in NYS.

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Susan Kemp's avatar

Medicare advantage was W’s plan to privatize Medicare. unlike Medicare, it’s for profit so everything they deny members goes to their bottom line. I have had Medicare + supplemental insurance and haven’t paid a penny for any tests, doctor visits, or procedures. If your doctor has a valid reason to request something, Medicare pays it without questions, so refreshing after many years of corporate insurance questioning everything. At one point, we had my husband’s insurance as primary for him and our children and mine as secondary. His insurance would pay 80% and mine would pick up the other 20%. Mine did the reverse. Then, during the Reagan administration, the rules changed or were reinterpreted and the insurance companies calculated how much they should pay, then subtracted what your primary insurance paid, instead of the total cost minus what the primary paid, and they paid the difference, which was zero. I took my husband and kids off my insurance.

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arne link's avatar

A broker? Where do you get information. I've been on the same plan for forty years (Kaiser). I mostly pay little to nothing.

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Cwalker's avatar

You are lucky to have it. Forty years ago things were a lot better before some geniuses thought to look at healthcare as a product to be sold rather than a necessity in a civilized first-world country.

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Steve in SoCal's avatar

Kaiser can take a long time to get an appointment. My wife has Kaiser, I have Medicare + a "G" supplement plan. I can get in to see my doc the same day if needed and can text or call him 24/7 (and pay $3k/yr for the privilege.) But if you have cancer, Kaiser is great.

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Ginny Hall's avatar

Here in NY anyway there are health insurance brokers. I got mine on a recommendation from my accountant, who was also a friend of mine. But you can google for a list. You don't pay them, the insuance companies pay them. They don't represent any particular company, they can do the comparisons for you and make recommendations and sign you up. So much easier. I never knew about plan G until my husband needed surgery a few years ago, and our broker told us to switch him to G just for the rest of the year. So when I saw big bills ahead for myself, I knew to call him.

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Nancy Potter's avatar

In 2009, the senators put in charge of drafting the ACA bill had deep ties (i.e. lots of money) with the insurance industry. As a result, even though even Obama wanted a single-payer option, the bill that came out did not include that as an option.

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Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

The big roadblock was sanctimonious Joe Lieberman who would not vote for it unless it excluded a single payer option.

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Richard Von Busack's avatar

They sure shot the old bastard full of pep drugs. He was everywhere this weekend, blathering, getting booed…

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Maui Wahine's avatar

Interesting comment in another blog from a nurse who thinks Cheetolini is suffering from severe untreated sleep apnea and thatʻs why he nods off during the day. She thinks when he needs to be alert his handlers shoot him up with various stimulants, which doesnʻt help with his communication skills.

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Michael Johnson's avatar

"Cheetolini" - perfect. First time seeing.

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Douglas Paul Truhlar's avatar

Minehune, he seems more like he was in 2020 when he was already huffing Sudafed and running a sleep deficit just less dementia. He has really gone down quickly.

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Deborah Hunter's avatar

Could be true. He has the physical make up of someone who has sleep apnea. Short, thick neck. Obese. Of course, not all sleep apnea patients fit this physical mold, but many of them do. A stocky, wrestler type build. Hopefully, there is no one sleeping in the same room with him to verify if he snores. He's so gross - was when he was younger too. The pretty/handsome gene is missing in the Trump gene pool. Parents put the H in hideous. I did love mom's hair tho.

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arne link's avatar

He must get amphetamines on the regular, then sleeps for a week. I wish he would make the sleep part permanent.

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Polly Sears's avatar

I so AGREE!!!

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Chris Hierholzer's avatar

He ruined my weekend but not my magnet collection.

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Polly Sears's avatar

I had the same thought- T was speaking so fast- he had to be on steroids or some amphetamine. Health issues!?

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Chris Hierholzer's avatar

It started when as a child seeing his mothers hair style that affected his speech patterns. It's a common problem. His hair might be a clue.

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arne link's avatar

Do steroid make you talk fast? IDK. I know that amphetamine does that. I think it makes you sweat, too. I'm not an expert on drugs.

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Polly Sears's avatar

I have had lots of experience with steroids, due to MS. I feel like I can run a Marathon, win a debate, due to being very amped up.

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Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

I have two degrees (one's a JD) and my 11th book is about to come out. I'm not trying to brag. I simply want to establish I'm not an idiot. I have no idea whatsoever how Medicare works. I just got a notice from them (that boldly states "not a bill") that goes over my recent medical visits and procedures, what they cost, what Medicare allowed, what they paid, and what I owe. The only thing I understood was that I didn't owe anything. That's good, but it might as well have been written in Sanskrit for all the sense it made to me. The notion that people like me -- who is NOT an idiot -- should negotiate with insurance companies is insane.

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Joyce's avatar

Exactly this. Papers arrive, I look at them; they mean nothing comprehensible; I shred them. Basically, my reaction is precisely how my cats would handle the statements.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

I thought it was just me, it looks like I have lots of company.

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Robert Eckert's avatar

I keep all these incomprehensible papers. I have an incomprehensible drawer full of them.

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Pam Humphrey's avatar

Hahahaha! A picture of that just went through my brain.

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Gina's avatar

one of the mercies of our Canadian system is there is nothing to try to understand, esp when in the throes of need: go to hospital or doc, present card, get taken care of. no needless complications, NO VAMPIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES

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Maui Wahine's avatar

I used to volunteer for Medicare counseling (itʻs called SHIP, which also makes no sense). Anyway, you are absolutely right, Medicare is insanely complicated with all the various options, as well as how you have to coordinate it sometimes with employer-provided insurance or Medicaid. Medicare for All, in one simple program, is the solution.

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Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

I'm also on Mass Health (our version of Medicaid) and started getting confused by why a.) I would want a Medicare Advantage plan and b.) why my zip code was at all relevant to such plans. I spoke to senior services in my city and they told me if I had Medicare and Mass Health (plus a Plan D insurance for medications) then I was all set and should just ignore the ads. Now I also get to ignore the phone calls as well.

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arne link's avatar

Ignoring phone calls is my superpower. They can leave a message.

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MargaretT's avatar

I know a volunteer for Medicare counseling, and by chance I happened to connect with her when I was retiring during COVID. We did not realize that we knew each other in our meeting, because everything was over the phone. We figured out later we knew each other. I was planning to get an Advantage Plan. She remained neutral - no suggestions. A few months into coverage, I caught the Advantage Plan rep lying to me that I was required to have a home visit. I was still in the first couple months of eligibility when I could switch to traditional Medicare without requiring time consuming underwriting, so I made the switch easily. Later I heard from my acquaintance who I had spoken with earlier. Whe told me she is strictly prohibited from offering opinions on either traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. It looks like interference from moneyed interests to me.

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Cheryl ODonnell's avatar

And the concept of calling United to negotiate: “The answer is NO!”

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Sharon Hudnall's avatar

Luigi Mangione told us what it's like to negotiate with United Healthcare.

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Mary Hall's avatar

I've been on Medicare for almost five years. I am always amazed at what the original bill is, e.g., $500 vs. what Medicare will pay, say $150, and they always accept that as payment in full. There is a lot of money to be made in healthcare. However, I believe that no one should profit from someone else's pain and suffering.

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Robert Eckert's avatar

Running a hospital for profit was illegal until the Nixon Administration.

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Carol C's avatar

In all likelihood these insurance companies are the same ones T called evil greed pigs.

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Dr J's Sanity Space's avatar

Well, you got the right response. You don't owe anything. The bottom line.

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Deborah Hunter's avatar

Half the country are a bunch of drooling idiots. This would be a nightmare of gargantuan proportion.

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Kay-El's avatar

1. Maybe we can get the band Rare Earth to explain magnets to Donny.

2. That Wheel of Moron must be as large as a Ferris wheel.

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Betsy L's avatar

The London Eye comes to mind..

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Sue Pemberton's avatar

And the cars are full of more moron(s).

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Susan Jane's avatar

He's still flummoxed by those little black and white Scottie dog magnets we had as kids.

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Betsy L's avatar

And he evidently never played with magnetic letters on his kitchen fridge as a toddler while Mom ws trying to cook dinner without losing her mind. Ha! So that's why he can't read.

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Charles Austin's avatar

Rare Earth was the only Rock band that Barry Gordy signed at Motown.

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Neal Stiffelman's avatar

Hard to even post a witty or wtf comment when the layer of stupid is this fucking thick.

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Patrick Daniels aka Cromulent1's avatar

Exfuckingactly Neal!

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Susie's avatar

Yep. I’m out. 😡🤬😡🤬😡💔🇺🇸

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Charles Austin's avatar

Yep!

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Susan Niemann's avatar

"spin the Big Wheel of Moron" 🤣🤣

"President Gas Leak" Tee Tee!!!!

"Preznit Fuckwit is an imbecile who doesn’t know shit about shit." That right there sums it up.

'notebooks full of ideas' reminds me of when Mitt Romney said he had binders full of women. 😂

And yes, Jeff, you ARE a fucking genius.

And now, I have plane to catch! I might not ever come back. Love y'all. ✌️💙

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Paula Dean's avatar

My daughter is flying from Boston to Sacramento tomorrow, may God bless her connecting flight! I'll be praying for you both! Load your kindle! Bring a pillow! And be kind to airport personnel and your fellow travelers ❤️

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Susan Niemann's avatar

Always kind. 👍🏻💙

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Paula Dean's avatar

I can tell that about you. "My religion is simple. It is kindness." -- the Dalai Lama

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Paula Dean's avatar

My daughter made it! And without problems! (Except for the very stinky man in front of her, on the 2nd leg of the trip!)

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Susan Niemann's avatar

LOL! "very stinky man". You see it all on a plane. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

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Patrick Daniels aka Cromulent1's avatar

Bon voyage Susan, I wouldn’t come back to this clown fuckery if i left this country!

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Tess's avatar

travel safely Susan!!

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Cathy 98280's avatar

Have a great time!

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Betsy L's avatar

Have fun! Wish I were going with you!

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arne link's avatar

Safe journey. We will forgive you if you decide to stay away. I would if I could.

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Susan Niemann's avatar

Oh I have to come back for a little while. This time is 6 weeks away. I have saved enough points to go somewhere else soon.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

Hey, you promised!

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Susan Niemann's avatar

😂😂. I promise!!

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Charles Austin's avatar

So your flight didn't get cancelled. Have fun, and stay in touch.😀😘

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Susan Niemann's avatar

I’m here now!!!

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Deborah Hunter's avatar

I'm out of the country. May never return. Our guide was talking about Macron last night with a couple of us. One in my group (who's a dual citizen U.S), who's from a 3rd world corrupt country run by dictators, pipes up that Michelle Obama is a man. And he's sure of it because there are no pictures of her pregnant. I'm also sure he listens to right wing garbage. I had to duct tape my mouth. There are very few pictures of me pregnant with my 3 sons so guess maybe I'm a man. Those were the days when you wore maternity clothes and didn't walk around with clothes on that fit you prepregnancy and you covered your abdomen up. No need to ask him if he's MAGA.

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Susan Niemann's avatar

People are so disappointing. What a horrible thing to say. Racism is the foundation of our problems.

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SethTriggs's avatar

When you have Murc's Law (where only Democrats have political agency, accountability for personal and public behavior, and responsibility to know how ANYTHING works), you're going to get this.

And of course, remember that there's no consequence for this sort of thing; because the pricktator isn't elected to know anything. He's elected to destroy the minorities that the unreconstructed in America hate. As long as he causes them pain, any of his incompetence is fine.

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Heather Hartman's avatar

Exactly!

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Judy McNichols's avatar

A-Effen-Men!!!!!!!

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rlritt's avatar

They think the reason prices go up or their insurance premiums are high is because there are non white, many of them immigrants, who get free health care, but dont deserve it. If free insurance and health care was denied to people in poverty. The rest of us would get affordable health care.

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Gina's avatar

whereas it's insurance companies, who provide no actual service, who suck out the $

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Fastball Fredo's avatar

Hi Jeff, my morning was going great until I read a piece this morning concerning the convicted terrorist Stuart Rhodes, now pardoned. He says he’s going to “put the band together” Oath Keepers.. He says they will act as a private militia for Trump… WTAF is going on? Donald has a private army now and it’s called ICE., greasing the skids for 2026&2028 elections…..Considering all the pardons Donald handed out the other day for his legal enablers.. well the calculations indicate that if you break the law in service to your god king you will get a get out of jail card, on the federal level. So now under Ed Martin, pardon attorney in the DOJ, they are arguing that Presidential Pardons should apply to state convictions…. WTAF? Criminals love other criminals… Thanks Jeff.

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Deborah Hunter's avatar

I really feel for Rhodes' family. They're terrified of him. There was an interview with his son several years ago that was heartbreaking.

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Fastball Fredo's avatar

Yes, I saw the interview… this guy is a very nasty piece of work..threatened his wife and his son for exposing him…

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Dan Boss's avatar

Deborah. Thanks. I just read this bbc story from 3 years ago about Dakota Rhodes’ escape: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63709446

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rlritt's avatar

Yes that's what ICE really is. Trump's private army. They are openly advertising for thugs. Previous felonies not at all a problem. Everyone hates them so Trump's handlers will use them to terrorize voters. I hope Democratic lawmakers and Governors are preparing for this.

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Polly Sears's avatar

Saw the same article. That guy is as nutty as a bushel of pecans.

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rlritt's avatar

And yet, he influences all people in Trumps government. This is bad.

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Joe Witkowski's avatar

Ed Martin needs to just fucking die. A just God will disbar him before sending him with the other goats to hell.

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Charles Austin's avatar

If they touch my groove, I'll go Paddy Mayne on their asses!

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Steward Beckham's avatar

Magnets, Trumpcare, and the eternal promise that “everybody will be happy.” It’s like watching late-stage empire written by Dr. Seuss and edited by a hedge fund.

The center keeps playing debate club while the circus eats the tent.

More thoughts: https://www.stewonthis.com/p/two-silences

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Carol C's avatar

I agree these are strange times we are living in. But please leave Dr. Seuss out of it. I am a big fan. Yertle the Turtle is dictatorship explained to little kids. The Lorax shows capitalism destroying the environment. Horton learns that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

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Tex237's avatar

Has everyone forgotten how Trump cut off his very disabled nephew from the family health insurance plan as soon as Trump’s father died.

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Paula Dean's avatar

Not I, and certainly not Mary Trump - who has laid out Donald's entire family history, and all the cruelty that began in his early childhood. He has never been anything but an entitled, selfish, and cruel bully. Military school was intended to curb his nasty impulses, but failed utterly. Might have made him worse.

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Lucy Guerlac's avatar

I love Medicare, too. Medicare for all. Cut OUT the insurance companies which just obfuscate, deny and steal our money.

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insert_something_creative's avatar

Absolutely! And his comment, in addition to being incoherent and fucking stupid as usual, makes no sense on so many layers:

“what I want is instead of going to the insurance companies, I want the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own health insurance. it’s so good. the insurance will be better. it’ll cost less. everybody is gonna be happy. they’re gonna feel like entrepreneurs. they’re actually able to go out and negotiate their own health insurance. and they can use it only for that reason, to be only for that purpose. and if we did that, that would be so exciting. call it Trumpcare.”

In addition to being totally unworkable, the money would *still go to the insurance companies*! Who does he think people are going to "buy their own health insurance" from exactly?! Aside from the government, no other entity is set up to do that aside from the government and allowing people to opt-in to a government plan would be *gasp* a public option which is socialism!

You would just get to negotiate with them yourself which is something I'm sure would be super easy and a lot of fun for regular Americans. And I'm sure these insurance companies, who are well-known for being easy to work with and not fucking over their customers left and right, would be honest brokers and negotiate in good faith. No way they would completely dick you over and give you a fair price that is less than what you already pay that would actually cover anything. Better hope you don't have a pre-existing condition either!

The only right answer to fix our fucked healthcare system is universal healthcare/Medicare for All — it would reduce health care spending per capita, be more affordable for people, and actually cover everyone. But no Republican is ever going to get on board with that so they come up with utter bullshit like this or the "it's a secret I'll tell you in two weeks" answers. The ACA passed 15 YEARS AGO now. If they had a workable plan that would actually be popular, they would have said so by now. Their only plan is to repeal the ACA and go back to the even worse fucking system than we have now. They are more than happy to let those who can't afford healthcare to simply die.

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Deborah Hunter's avatar

Half of America can't even tie their shoelaces properly and you expect them to manage their health insurance????? Lol lol lol.

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insert_something_creative's avatar

LOL yeah seriously, a sizable chunk don't even know Obamacare and the ACA are the same damn thing!

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Tess's avatar

Yes Jeff-you ARE a fucking genius! “Moron speak” is the entire administration and republicans reps in congress. And yes-a first grader knows what the fuck a magnet is and can probably count money better than that guy in the golden palace in DC. YIKES! thanks Jeff-great post!

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rlritt's avatar

There was a sit com a number of years ago, about a family with grown kids and the father was a congressman or senator. It was funny because the guy was a complete idiot and had to be constantly "handled."

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Sandy's avatar

I can’t remember the name, but I loved it! It didn’t last, sadly. It had a great cast and insightful writing.

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rlritt's avatar

I looked he played it suicidal congressman played by David Hyde Pierce and the main character was US Senator. Short lived but very funny.

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Norma's avatar

The orange mofo has never had to worry about healthcare in his entire miserable fucking life. Why the cultists think that he gives one shit about them is so beyond me. I’m so over these fuckers🤬

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Koko in AZ's avatar

So, the truth comes out. Along with erasing every good thing Obama did, he also wants to erase "Obamacare" and replace it with "Trumpcare". Also, individuals negotiating with insurance companies??? What the Dunning-Kruger hell? The way insurance works in the U.S. is having groups of people, some sick and some healthy, all sharing the burden to make it affordable. But try explaining that to Dumpf and MAGA.

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Joe Witkowski's avatar

It’s called Risk Pooling but he confuses that with the contents of his soiled-un-adult diaper 💩

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