Stupid, Ridiculous Prices for Stuff

[Kenomac]

[QUOTE=Boatguy30;1956594]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Can you post a pic of the check for $35,000 please.

Like I said earlier... Her employer pays the $35,000 on her behalf. We get a government statement showing the amount and her employer will need to start paying taxes on the amount in 2018 I believe.

Just ask your own employer what Blue Cross Blue Shield costs for two people age 59. They'll give you the same number.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Agreed. I'd even buy the beers (the first round anyway ... after that it's on you buddy ).

Seriously folks, a lot of us are just a little bored and twitchy about being away from our boats. This has been fun, engaging, and kinda stimulating. Lets not make it personal. We've even got AVB in on the chat. Lets not give him any reason to close us down.

Otherwise... We'll be back to composting heads and anchors.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Let's cut through the BS.
If the TRUE market was at work, the cost of any transaction would be what it was worth between the customer and the provider.
That's what progressives / liberals just cant or refuse to see.
Let the people run their own lives....and government stay the fk out of the way !
Waiting for AVB3 to close the thread and delete this post.......3-2-1....

Speaking as what I think you would call a "progressive" or "liberal", I agree. It's what I've been saying all along: The cost of an item in a capitalist economy is largely set by what people are willing to pay, not by any inherent value of said item.

It's just too bad rich people and corporations don't agree with you. They hire armies of lobbyists, and buy all the politicians they can, to ensure government keeps fking with the system to ensure their interests are protected, meanwhile screwing the majority of the citizens.

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by smj

I think that's great, yet he lives the life of a millionaire on $22.00 an hour. I'm sure we would all love to know his secret.



Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

His "secret" has been explained. He works very hard at many things, and so does his wife and he owns commercial property that provides an income even when he's not working. Instead of working all year round to support a big house, etc. he has a condo and a very nice boat in Europe that he spends a lot of time on. I'd call it a very nice set up and good for him for arranging his life that way instead of the more conventional way most of the rest of us choose to live, at least for the time being. I'm not sure why you're having such a hard time accepting all that and are so determined to cling to that $22 figure even when it's very clear to every other reader that he made no claim that his whole lifestyle was supported by it....maybe a little jealousy for what he's managed to accomplish creeping in there? I suppose that's understandable...

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

You seem to misunderstand. I want and expect to pay for the services I use in a foreign land. What I said was that only in the US could I face such a huge bill for a relatively minor medical event. No where else in the world could I be destroyed financially by breaking my arm. If healthcare was significantly better in the USA than anywhere else, then perhaps the added cost would be justified. But as we all know, US healthcare is no better, and in too many cases, worse than most other developed nations. Which gets back to how things are priced ... it's not about the value or cost. It's about what people are willing (or in this case forced) to pay.

And it's interesting that you see a relationship between the high price some of you pay for insurance to cover those citizens who are not as financially fortunate. That fine collectivist, dare I say socialist, perspective. Good on you This is exactly how taxes work. It is a collective effort to deal with a society-wide issue.

But in a foreign land, the healthcare professionals are being subsidized by local citizens tax dollars so they don't have to charge anyone very much, including you, and naturally you like that and have good things to say about their whole system.I don't blame you because it's an especially good deal if you don't pay taxes there or have a high paying job there. In the US, you are being charged extra to help pay for those who are less fortunate, but you don't seem to like it much. That whole idea of "stick to the rich guy because he can afford it" sounds pretty good until you realize that YOU'RE the rich guy who's expected to pay extra! Welcome to the reality of socialism!

[dana-tenacity]

Originally Posted by StuM

Merkins or Septics seem to work quite well!

Isn't a Merkin a false hair piece for the pubic area?

[dana-tenacity]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

as a former NZ resident with a NZ citizen daughter, id have to agree it all rather ironic. No self respected kiwi would consider themselves government dependent, yet the same person in the US would today be called a freeloading loafer. And hopefully made to feel guilty enough to repeatedly vote against their best interest.

I should point out that a good bit of our taxes go to that US military thing and another 30% is paying for healthcare at more than twice the per capita cost as NZ or any other western nation.

Of course that also assumes a balanced budget and of course we don't tax enough to pay for all of that!

I should also mention I have a brother living in Aus, he came out ever so slightly ahead, but they had Tony Abbott as PM at the time so I claimed the win by technical knock out.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

But in a foreign land, the healthcare professionals are being subsidized by local citizens tax dollars so they don't have to charge anyone very much, including you, and naturally you like that and have good things to say about their whole system.I don't blame you because it's an especially good deal if you don't pay taxes there or have a high paying job there. In the US, you are being charged extra to help pay for those who are less fortunate, but you don't seem to like it much. That whole idea of "stick to the rich guy because he can afford it" sounds pretty good until you realize that YOU'RE the rich guy who's expected to pay extra! Welcome to the reality of socialism!

I really can't follow your logic here jtsailjt, and I have no idea what you're babbling about with the "stick to the rich guy" comment. If you've been reading you know that prices for goods and services are set in the local economy by willingness (or necessity) to pay. If you come to Canada and break your leg, you will be charged the actual cost of medical care in this country. It's got nothing to do with "being subsidized by local taxpayers." It's the actual cost of the medical care you receive -- a price that is set by local economic factors (willingness to pay being the top). Healthcare is not "free" here. It's just that all other developed nations countries have alternate methods of paying the costs.

The cost of US healthcare system is, by all global comparisons, way more costly than any other nation. THAT is what I am fearful of; it's that your system has priced these services many times higher than any other developed nation. That's simply a fact that I, as a visitor, have to deal with. I'm not happy about having to shell out big bucks for an insurance policy, but I did b/c I accept reality.

Your country also prices stuff like gasoline and (most) booze way lower than I'm used to. That too is a reality I have to deal with.

Why your healthcare system costs many times more than everywhere else (and produces poorer outcomes for most of your people) is a whole different discussion. It has little to do with "subsidizing others." The reason your system costs leaps and bounds more than everyone else is due to many factors: avarice of your insurance companies, the incredible cost of the private bureaucracy that runs the system, and the overly litigious nature of your country, are just some of the reasons. Mostly it has to do with trying to use market forces where no functioning market can exist.

We could discuss this further, but I'm sure AVB would be forced to step in.

[JPA Cate]

[QUOTE=Boatguy30;1956594]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Can you post a pic of the check for $35,000 please.

Please, Boatguy, give it a break!

Obviously, Kenomac's not starving, but so what? How'd you like to post your income tax return? Don't know about you, but I won't....and would not expect anyone whatsoever to post intimate financial details on a public forum. Ever.

If your point is that you cannot make a living without inflated prices for boating equipment, then state your case more clearly, please.

[cards26]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I really can't follow your logic here jtsailjt

Why your healthcare system costs many times more than everywhere else (and produces poorer outcomes for most of your people) is a whole different discussion. It has little to do with "subsidizing others." The reason your system costs leaps and bounds more than everyone else is due to many factors: avarice of your insurance companies, the incredible cost of the private bureaucracy that runs the system, and the overly litigious nature of your country, are just some of the reasons. Mostly it has to do with trying to use market forces where no functioning market can exist.

n.

See if you can follow my logic. Does Canada have 12 million illegal aliens that they're treating with medical care? Some say it's actually 30 million illegal aliens in the U.S.

I love how these small population countries like Canada, Australia, and Scandinavia, that sit on huge deposits of natural resources, criticize other countries not so fortunate to have those circumstances.

These countries also did not spend on defense during the cold war, allowing them to build up huge social benefit bureaucracies. The U.S. spent $7 trillion during the Cold War defending these wealthy countries, and that's when a trillion was a trillion.

Can you cite a link on how U.S. residents are not being served overall in medical care? I lived in NY, and I saw many Canadians coming to the U.S. for medical treatment, but I never heard of an American heading to Canada for treatment.

Here in Colombia, I have health insurance, and not very good insurance. I asked for an appt in July of 2015, and was told the next available appt would be in February 2016. This was for semi-emergency treatment. Lots of people die here waiting for an appt. I can afford to fly to Miami for treatment, which is what I did, but few people here can do this. Why is it like this? Corruption through and through by politicians. Keep the politicians out of it.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I'd like to point out to some of the participants on this thread, that although Mike and I are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, we can still remain civil and friends during a light hearted, entertaining discussion.... like the one we're having.

He's probably the one person on this forum I'd most like to sit down with and have a few beers. I just wish others could be more civil and enjoy one another's company, even if it's only on the web.

Debate can be fun and entertaining, I just wish some folks wouldn't always strive to shut things down. Thanks avb for allowing us to continue.

Thanks a lot!

[weavis]

I have always been a little suspect of jealousy.
Its an absolute waste of time. What others have does not affect my life in one bit.

Ann and Jim over in Oz on a beautiful Sloop.
Boatguy on his homebuilt Cat.
Keno on his Oyster.

No it does not affect me. they, as I am, are in charge of their own life and choices. If I wanted to build a boat, then I would be at it. If I wanted to sail round Oz then I would be doing it. If I wanted to to have an Oyster then I woud have one.

I dont because my life is made around the choices I made, and the circumstances Im in with my skillsets and the circumstances life placed me in.

I dont care that him or her has more money than me. It does not change my circumstances.

What is known is that Jim and Ann have an amazing skill set based on their choices which BENEFIT me because their experience is given freely and bits of it are applicable to my sailing life.

Boatguys skillset. along with others is freely available in the building of a vessel, and a great read.

Kens take on life is of benefit because he is great company and of cheerful disposition. His choices are not mine.

I would not swap with any of them, neither do I covet what they have or want their lifestyles.

I do know that Ken has an Oyster. So what? He loves it and uses it hard. Its a nice boat. Id like Ken if he still had a Hunter. (er...........)

Never begrudge anyone what they have. It doesnt affect you.

People share what they want to and thats as far as it goes. Ken has an Oyster and he is a nurse and he does have property and spends 6 months in the Med every summer. Taking comments out of context does not change these facts.

Now you must excuse me. I have to prepare lecture notes for a Seminar I am giving in Seville in 3 weeks, then going to Barcelona and then sailing to Mallorca where I hope to stay for several weeks.

And this affects any of you how?

[weavis]

someone asked for the 'secret' of how Ken affords to spend 6 months a year sailing.

The answer is Facebook.

Here is how.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by weavis

Thanks a lot!

I forgot to include the line... people I haven't yet met. It was late.

I'll sit down with you anytime in Mallorca and allow you to buy the first round. Don't be getting sad and jealous of Mike, you always have the monkeyman.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by smj

I think that's great, yet he lives the life of a millionaire on $22.00 an hour. I'm sure we would all love to know his secret.

Sure, I'll share our little "secret."

WE DON'T OWN A HOUSE! AND TWO COSTLY BIG ASS CARS!.

You know.... The very expensive "American Dream" thing.

House + 2 big ass cars = Stupid, ridiculous stuff IMHO