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[Aaron Strife]

Would be far more concerned about the five red staters than Baldwin, Nelson, Casey, Brown and Kaine. Unless any of those five retire.

 

[Black Mamba]

Obamacare enrollees are more satisfied with their health insurance plans than those who get coverage outside the health law's marketplaces, a new survey finds.

J.D. Power and Associates on Thursday published a consumer satisfaction survey that looked at both people getting coverage through Obamacare and those who get coverage elsewhere, typically through their employer. They used a 1,000-point scale to measure how much people liked their coverage.

People who had coverage through Obamacare had an average satisfaction score of 696 in 2014, thinking back to their last year of coverage. During that same year, people in mostly employer-based plans had a satisfaction rating of 679 — 17 points lower.

This is a bit surprising: we know that the marketplace plans tend to offer less robust coverage than employer plans. Plans that get sold on the Obamacare market, for example, typically have higher deductibles and co-payments, meaning there are more out-of-pocket costs for the consumer.

So why would these plans score higher? The J.D. Power survey suggests that there's another variable enrollees think a lot about: choice. Their research also shows that people with employer-sponsored coverage who have "multiple plan options" have the exact same satisfaction rating as the people on Obamacare.

And this might actually circle back to the cost issue. People shopping on Obamacare have the option to decide whether they want a plan with a high premium or a low one. Shoppers have typically gravitated toward the lower-cost premium. The average monthly premium on Healthcare.gov is $374. For people getting coverage at work, the average premium is $464.

What this data suggests is that health-care shoppers seem to be okay with a trade-off: they like the idea of selecting a lower-premium plan, even if it might mean incurring higher out-of-pocket costs down the line — and are more satisfied customers as a result.

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8485759/obamacare-sastisfaction-high

The survey found that people who were buying plans for the second consecutive year were more satisfied than those buying for the first time. Those buying plans through marketplaces that the federal government operates, rather than marketplaces that the states run, also tended to be happier.

The J.D. Power study is not the first to suggest that the majority of Obamacare consumers are content with what they are getting for their money. One year ago, the Commonwealth Fund published another survey of people who had received coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

Like the J.D. Power study, the Commonwealth survey included respondents who bought insurance through the marketplaces and frequently benefitted from generous federal tax credits. But it also polled people who got their insurance through Medicaid, the government program available in participating states to anybody with income below or just above the poverty line.

The results were still very positive. Nearly 8 in 10 respondents said they were “somewhat satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their health plans.

A previous survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation came to a similar conclusion -- that Obamacare consumers were generally happy with their coverage -- although many still struggled with the price of their insurance, and those who'd lost old plans were less happy than those getting insurance for the first time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/24/buying-obamacare-insuranc_n_7136606.html

So basically, the ACA hasn't killed jobs, it hasn't failed to drop the insurance rate significantly, it hasn't caused premiums to rise unordinarily, it hasn't failed to bend the cost curve (or at least not correlate with it), and now people who bought plans on the exchanges like it more than people who have insurance through other means.

The GOP is literally wrong on every ACA point. It's a shame something this derided has been more successful than predicted and yet is still polarizing. That said, good luck winning an election while trying to take millions off this insurance. It will backfire immensely.

#repealandreplace

 

[Macho Madness]

There is no way I would have been able to afford health insurance without the ACA. And this year, a new plan became available that was way better than my old one. Anecdotal, I know, but if they end up taking it away it will destroy my options for affordable health insurance.

 

[ivysaur12]

never say never.

...I didn't say never?

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8485759/obamacare-sastisfaction-high


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/24/buying-obamacare-insuranc_n_7136606.html

So basically, the ACA hasn't killed jobs, it hasn't failed to drop the insurance rate significantly, it hasn't caused premiums to rise unordinarily, it hasn't failed to bend the cost curve (or at least not correlate with it), and now people who bought plans on the exchanges like it more than people who have insurance through other means.

The GOP is literally wrong on every ACA point. It's a shame something this derided has been more successful than predicted and yet is still polarizing. That said, good luck winning an election while trying to take millions off this insurance. It will backfire immensely.

#repealandreplace

Most sad of all for them-- this could have been their victory. They could have lined up behind it, said "Thanks Mr President for choosing the Conservative, Market-Based option over actual Socialism, you've demonstrated how fiscal conservatism is better" and used its success as a jab at other options.

Instead, they've had to veer further right into libertarian territory on the issue.

 

[Metaphoreus]

I thought you all might find this interesting (aside from the terrible headline): First Lady is an Unpaid Gig, and in 1912 a Man Named Henry G. Freeman Thought That Was Unfair

In 1912, Henry Freeman Jr., a wealthy Philadelphia lawyer and real estate investor, set aside money in his will to provide the first lady of the United States with $1,000 a month, or $12,000 a year, “for her own and absolute use.” The money, he determined, would be held in the Henry G. Freeman Jr. Pin Money Fund—a reference to a common idiom for spending money husbands gave their wives. Freeman, whose estate was worth more than $2 million when he died, wrote in the will that he felt the president was paid “a miserable pittance for a man holding the greatest position on earth.” It was $75,000 then, worth more than $1.3 million in today’s dollars, more than triple the $400,000 President Obama is paid. He found it even worse that first ladies—or anyone serving as the White House host—got nothing at all. The payments, Freeman instructed, would continue “in force as long as this glorious government exists.”

The U.S. government continues to exist, but according to the Obamas’ tax returns, Michelle Obama hasn’t gotten any pin money since 2010, when she received $10,000 from the Freeman fund. It turns out the grandiose terms of Freeman’s will collided with a legal doctrine known as the Rule Against Perpetuities, which puts a 21-year limit on some noncharitable bequests following the death of the last surviving beneficiary.

...

Freeman died in 1917. His pin money fund began paying out in 1989, after Freeman Burrows, his last direct heir, died. The first first lady to benefit was Barbara Bush, who received $36,000 in a single lump sum in December 1992, 90 years after the will was written, once probate courts released the funds.

 

[NeoXChaos]

...I didn't say never?

You didnt. I meant that in regards to myself. should have reworded that differently.

 

[curlyfriski]

No

There are 10 that have a better legacy

FDR
Lincoln
Teddy
LBJ
Washington
Grant
Wilson
Jefferson
Truman
Adams

All have much greater legacies

Hey hey LBJ

 

[HyperionX]

So then best president since LBJ maybe?

He's LBJ without the Vietnam war. Logically, he's going to be seen as better than LBJ.

 

[thepotatoman]

never say never. Mark Udall looked safe in April 2013 and look what happened to him. The fate of the Romney 5(MO, IN, MT, WV, ND) and the Swing State 5(PA, OH, FL, WI, VA) is going to heavily ride on who is President in 2018 and the environment at the time.

As Chris Matthews warned: if Hillary become President with a Republican Congress, they will do to her what they did to Obama. Prevent her from having any accomplishments. To him, the BEST outcome is a Democratic House and Senate elected next year.

I guess that makes sense for Chris Matthews since the only thing that guy seems to cares about is the two sides working together.

But I think most liberals would probably prefer a democrat president than a democrat congress, unless that democrat congress basically does to the president what the republicans are doing to Obama.

 

[PhoenixDark]

so do you guys think Obama goes down as a top 3 president of all time in terms of legacy? when he finally leaves office

based on his accomplishments

He'll probably end up getting a lot of credit he doesn't deserve and be viewed favorably by the country as it gets browner. And there will be a natural "I miss Obama..." feeling over the next few years, I'd imagine.

 

[Wilsongt]

He'll probably end up getting a lot of credit he doesn't deserve and be viewed favorably by the country as it gets browner. And there will be a natural "I miss Obama..." feeling over the next few years, I'd imagine.

Credit he doesn't deserve?

Jlawyeahokay.gif

 

[Jackson50]

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8485759/obamacare-sastisfaction-high


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/24/buying-obamacare-insuranc_n_7136606.html

So basically, the ACA hasn't killed jobs, it hasn't failed to drop the insurance rate significantly, it hasn't caused premiums to rise unordinarily, it hasn't failed to bend the cost curve (or at least not correlate with it), and now people who bought plans on the exchanges like it more than people who have insurance through other means.

The GOP is literally wrong on every ACA point. It's a shame something this derided has been more successful than predicted and yet is still polarizing. That said, good luck winning an election while trying to take millions off this insurance. It will backfire immensely.

#repealandreplace

Interesting. If choice is as important as the surveys indicate, then a single-payer system might not be the best course for expansion of healthcare. It might be the superior option, but reform comparable to the Dutch model would be easier to sell the public. Regardless, the ACA is working, and Republicans have been spectacularly wrong on every point as you noted.

He'll probably end up getting a lot of credit he doesn't deserve and be viewed favorably by the country as it gets browner. And there will be a natural "I miss Obama..." feeling over the next few years, I'd imagine.

He'll claim credit too. He'll act like he deserves it. It's what you'd expect from someone who has struggled his entire life with abandonment issues and racial confusion.

 

[NeoXChaos]

Oops I meant to add Hillary winning with a Democratic House and Senate.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Hey hey LBJ

They have their flaws

 

[PhoenixDark]

They have their flaws

Like knowingly fabricating evidence in order to escalate a war that should have never been fought, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Americans and thousands more of Vietnamese people?

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Like knowingly fabricating evidence in order to escalate a war that should have never been fought, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Americans and thousands more of Vietnamese people?

Yes.

I mean I included racists, segregationists, war mongers, philanderers and all sorts of horrible people. They still had a greater legacy than obama

 

[Ecotic]

Johnson's such a split verdict. If he had not gone into Vietnam and won reelection in '68 I wonder what else he could have accomplished, besides preventing Nixon and all the other dominoes that fell afterwards. Johnson would have been hammered for not aiding Vietnam, but Humphrey came so close and it's harder to beat an incumbent President, especially since without Vietnam he likely wouldn't have been primaried.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Yes.

I mean I included racists, segregationists, war mongers, philanderers and all sorts of horrible people. They still had a greater legacy than obama

I wasn't defending Obama, who I assume will be viewed as a middle to bottom tier president when all is said and done. But I wouldn't put LBJ in a great or good tier either. Obviously he accomplished some great things but there's a reason he's rarely mentioned as a great president. Vietnam weighs too heavy.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

I wasn't defending Obama, who I assume will be viewed as a middle to bottom tier president when all is said and done. But I wouldn't put LBJ in a great or good tier either. Obviously he accomplished some great things but there's a reason he's rarely mentioned as a great president. Vietnam weighs too heavy.

Vietnam is horrible but food stamps, medicare, Medicaid, the civil rights act, voting rights act, fair housing act, space program, other welfare create a legacy that goes far beyond Vietnam.

I think he will be better remembered once people that lived through Vietnam aren't counting. Its a horrible thing no doubt but its legacy isn't that large in us/human history IMO

 

[Oblivion]

Has Jindal's op-ed from the NYT been posted?

Our country was founded on the principle of religious liberty, enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Why shouldn’t an individual or business have the right to cite, in a court proceeding, religious liberty as a reason for not participating in a same-sex marriage ceremony that violates a sincerely held religious belief?

That is what Indiana and Arkansas sought to do. That political leaders in both states quickly cowered amid the shrieks of big business and the radical left should alarm us all.

As the fight for religious liberty moves to Louisiana, I have a clear message for any
corporation that contemplates bullying our state: Save your breath.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/23/opinion/bobby-jindal-im-holding-firm-against-gay-marriage.html

I always like seeing different conservative values fighting against one another and seeing which one comes out on top. In this case, it seems the Christian fundamentalists have narrowly edged out the job creators.

 

[sc0la]

Radical left? Cowabunga dude!


Edit also catering a gay wedding's reception or providing flowers is not "participating in a same sex wedding ceremony"

 

[Chichikov]

Vietnam is horrible but food stamps, medicare, Medicaid, the civil rights act, voting rights act, fair housing act, space program, other welfare create a legacy that goes far beyond Vietnam.

I think he will be better remembered once people that lived through Vietnam aren't counting. Its a horrible thing no doubt but its legacy isn't that large in us/human history IMO

Also, I don't think you can pin Vietnam completely on LBJ, that clusterfuck was 20 years in the making.
And while Johnson did manage it terribly and he no doubt did some appalling things during it, he didn't actually wanted any of it.
He inherited a shit situation, he wanted nothing but to make it go away so he can focus on domestic policy and he listened to some bad advice from people who looked smart but talked stupid that told him they can fix it.
That does not absolve him, but it something we need to take into consideration when evaluating his legacy, I mean shit, this is not 2nd Iraq war situation we're talking about here.

In my opinion, he's still one the better presidents this country had.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Also, I don't think you can pin Vietnam completely on LBJ, that clusterfuck was 20 years in the making.
And while Johnson did manage it terribly and he no doubt did some appalling things during it, he didn't actually wanted any of it.
He inherited a shit situation, he wanted nothing but to make it go away so he can focus on domestic policy and he listened to some bad advice from people who looked smart but talked stupid that told him they can fix it.
That does not absolve him, but it something we need to take into consideration when evaluating his legacy, I mean shit, this is not 2nd Iraq war situation we're talking about here.

In my opinion, he's still one the better presidents this country had.

I hope we eventually get a "we misjudged the islamists" statement in the future. Its eerie how much we never learned the lessons of the cold war when fighting an ideological enemy


Also watch fog of war. I don't think they ever mention our current wars but the subtext of criticism is there. And that rumsfeld doc is good too if only to scare the shit out of you that this man was in charge of the Pentagon and so well versed in doublespeak and stupidity

 

[Chichikov]

I hope we eventually get a "we misjudged the islamists" statement in the future. Its eerie how much we never learned the lessons of the cold war when fighting an ideological enemy


Also watch fog of war. I don't think they ever mention our current wars but the subtext of criticism is there. And that rumsfeld doc is good too if only to scare the shit out of you that this man was in charge of the Pentagon and so well versed in doublespeak and stupidity

Contrast The Fog of War with The Unknown Known, those neocon fuckers will not admit or learn anything.

And by the way, during the cold war the US really couldn't understand the soviets, the CIA was just terrible at it job.
Right now, the US can understand islamists, like, the information is there, but it generally don't want to.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Contrast The Fog of War with The Unknown Known, those neocon fuckers will not admit or learn anything.

And by the way, during the cold war the US really couldn't understand the soviets, the CIA was just terrible at it job.
Right now, the US can understand islamists, like, the information is there, but it generally don't want to.

That's because admiting anything stops their goals. They're getting what they want. They're not "losing" since they don't really care about what they profess (spreading democracy) its about Israel hegemony and constant war footing

 

[Wilsongt]

The gop needs to learn not to throw an entire football team at the dems in a presidential race just to see which one sucks the least.

 

[Aaron Strife]

@DavidMDrucker
Norm Coleman just told reporters at @RJCHQ spring mtg in Vegas that MI Gov @onetoughnerd said he's running for president.

PD just splooged

 

[NeoXChaos]

Applying to join Hillary Campaign. Doubt I hear from them though. Wish me luck x(

Why do you want to join the campaign?<----one of the questions

 

[PhoenixDark]

Hard to see Synder making waves. Walker isn't a good speaker nor is he charismatic, yet he's still more interesting than Snyder.

I don't think the GOP will appreciate my governor, basically.

 

[Black Republican]

Hard to see Synder making waves. Walker isn't a good speaker nor is he charismatic, yet he's still more interesting than Snyder.

I don't think the GOP will appreciate my governor, basically.

i still think Rubio has the best chance

 

[Aaron Strife]

Applying to join Hillary Campaign. Doubt I hear from them though. Wish me luck x(

Why do you want to join the campaign?<----one of the questions

Put Supreme Court. They will love that.

GOP nominee will be Walker or Rubio imo. VP will be the other one

 

[HylianTom]

Put Supreme Court. They will love that.

GOP nominee will be Walker or Rubio imo. VP will be the other one

"We're not voting for just a single four-year term. We're voting for several decades-long terms on the high court. The individuals that the next President places there will still be there when I'm welcoming my own grandchildren into the world. I want the person making those nominations to be Hillary."

Like catnip!

 

[Hobbestetrician]

I don't think the GOP will appreciate my governor, basically.

 

[Jackson50]

Also, I don't think you can pin Vietnam completely on LBJ, that clusterfuck was 20 years in the making.
And while Johnson did manage it terribly and he no doubt did some appalling things during it, he didn't actually wanted any of it.
He inherited a shit situation, he wanted nothing but to make it go away so he can focus on domestic policy and he listened to some bad advice from people who looked smart but talked stupid that told him they can fix it.
That does not absolve him, but it something we need to take into consideration when evaluating his legacy, I mean shit, this is not 2nd Iraq war situation we're talking about here.

In my opinion, he's still one the better presidents this country had.

He's ultimately responsible for the decision to escalate, but there were many people agitating for war. And they provided inaccurate analysis and deceptive intelligence that favored military intervention. It was a cavalcade of failure on the part of too many people. Our political leadership collectively failed; it's not without reason that public trust in government declined during that period.

Contrast The Fog of War with The Unknown Known, those neocon fuckers will not admit or learn anything.

And by the way, during the cold war the US really couldn't understand the soviets, the CIA was just terrible at it job.
Right now, the US can understand islamists, like, the information is there, but it generally don't want to.

Yes, the CIA was terrible; it really has not improved much since then, unfortunately. They misjudged Soviet strategic interests. They contributed to the bomber/missile gap paranoia. Let's not mention the Bay of Pigs. But they are not the only intelligence agency. The State Department's intelligence was often accurate and prescient. Although far from infallible, they offered the best appraisal of Vietnam. But they were ignored. Of course, this touches on a harmful tendency in American politics to demote the State Department as a tool of foreign policy. The INR warned of the consequences of military intervention. But the dissent was silenced as it was in the debate to invade Iraq. For too long we've privileged the Pentagon and CIA in our foreign policy. Hopefully, Obama can withstand pressure to militarize the negotiations with Iran. Let our diplomats do their job.

 

[Tamanon]

I'm enjoying the President's jokes this year. The way he laughs at the absurdity of people is great.

 

[TacticalFox88]

"I do have something that rhymes with a bucket list"

Goddamn.

Flawless Obama

 

[cartoon_soldier]

Is there anyone not entering the GOP nomination race?

 

[B-Dubs]

Is there anyone not entering the GOP nomination race?

I'm not, but that's because I'm a Democrat.

 

[Aaron Strife]

Is there anyone not entering the GOP nomination race?

Anyone who can win.

How would you guys feel about Steve Bullock as VP? Successful liberal red state governor.

 

[cartoon_soldier]

Anyone who can win.

How would you guys feel about Steve Bullock as VP? Successful liberal red state governor.

Sounds good.

Dems need to build a stronger bench. They need to concentrate on stateside again.

 

[Jooney]

He's ultimately responsible for the decision to escalate, but there were many people agitating for war. And they provided inaccurate analysis and deceptive intelligence that favored military intervention. It was a cavalcade of failure on the part of too many people. Our political leadership collectively failed; it's not without reason that public trust in government declined during that period.

Out of curiosity would you extend this line of courtesy to George Bush? He had plenty of people in his ear agitating for war (cheney, rumsfeld, wolfowitz) but I don't think history has yet to line up and downplay his role in moving the country into invasion in Iraq. Buck stops with the president etc.

It seems that people are willing to downplay LBJs role in Vietnam because of his domestic record.

 

[TacticalFox88]

Obama actually brought Peele at the Dinner?

LEGEND!!

 

[Mario]

Obama actually brought Peele at the Dinner?

LEGEND!!

:O Watching now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMol4KdcyJ0

 

[TacticalFox88]

I fucking can't.

He just ROASTED all of his naysayers and critics.

 

[Gallbaro]

it's just......Teddy never seemed like the intellectual Obama is...he always seemed like the rough and tough type personality, but never an intellectual..

Teddy was probably the smartest president we have ever had, the Man was sheer brilliance when he was able to channel his ADHD. He laid the groundwork for Wilson and FDR through his sheer forced of will and intelligence, throwing a pitiful forced, the government, against far more powerful interest.

When he could not control his ADHD, then he had issues. Such as announcing he would not seek reelection... After winning his first election in a land slide.

 

[Jackson50]

Out of curiosity would you extend this line of courtesy to George Bush? He had plenty of people in his ear agitating for war (cheney, rumsfeld, wolfowitz) but I don't think history has yet to line up and downplay his role in moving the country into invasion in Iraq. Buck stops with the president etc.

It seems that people are willing to downplay LBJs role in Vietnam because of his domestic record.

I don't mean to excuse LBJ's role in Vietnam, but Chichikov touched briefly on why the contexts are not exactly comparable. The military was already in Vietnam when Johnson was inaugurated. So Johnson didn't initiate the conflict, whereas Bush preemptively invaded Iraq. Nonetheless, I would extend that courtesy to Bush to a lesser extent. I wouldn't absolve his offense. Like Johnson he is ultimately responsible for his Administration's policies. But as with Vietnam, our political leadership failed spectacularly. Again, far too many people were eager for war. They should share collective blame.

 

[Chichikov]

:O Watching now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMol4KdcyJ0

ROFL, the whole thing was awesome.

For future use -

 

[RustyNails]

Is there anyone not entering the GOP nomination race?

Jon Huntsman-san.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

"I do have something that rhymes with a bucket list"

Goddamn.

Flawless Obama

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=161254297&postcount=4640