Operating with an old browser forces a comment about today’s despotism. Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) is a ‘voluntary’ program. Sort of. On page 15 of the Official U. S. Government Medicare Handbook is this: “Medicare Part D is run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.” On page 87 it states that “if you decide not to join a Medicare drug plan……you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty.” But isn’t it voluntary? Page 95 states: “the late enrollment penalty is calculated by multiplying 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($31.17 in 2013) times the number of full months you were eligible but didn’t join.” But it’s vountary, right? That amount will be “added to your monthly premium.” Now that’s a sweet deal for the for-profit, corporate health insurance companies. Thanks Mr. Bush and you wonderful Congresspeople. Freedom sure feels good.
“… things sure have changed…”
Agreed. Nice research there, Ms. Madrak. In terms of the themes explored, e.g., is respect given to many, or only to certain ‘most worthy’ groups; how widely distributed true political power is; what balance and degree of fairness there is between rich and poor, etc., we have swung way over to the “Despot” side of the scale.
It’s as though we fought WWII ostensibly to get rid of fascism. Yet, in doing so, our “movers and shakers” became so enamored with the degree of power the leaders of those fascist states had, they seemed to decide “hey, let’s do the same thing here”.
Operating with an old browser forces a comment about today’s despotism. Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) is a ‘voluntary’ program. Sort of. On page 15 of the Official U. S. Government Medicare Handbook is this: “Medicare Part D is run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.” On page 87 it states that “if you decide not to join a Medicare drug plan……you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty.” But isn’t it voluntary? Page 95 states: “the late enrollment penalty is calculated by multiplying 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($31.17 in 2013) times the number of full months you were eligible but didn’t join.” But it’s vountary, right? That amount will be “added to your monthly premium.” Now that’s a sweet deal for the for-profit, corporate health insurance companies. Thanks Mr. Bush and you wonderful Congresspeople. Freedom sure feels good.
“… things sure have changed…”
Agreed. Nice research there, Ms. Madrak. In terms of the themes explored, e.g., is respect given to many, or only to certain ‘most worthy’ groups; how widely distributed true political power is; what balance and degree of fairness there is between rich and poor, etc., we have swung way over to the “Despot” side of the scale.
It’s as though we fought WWII ostensibly to get rid of fascism. Yet, in doing so, our “movers and shakers” became so enamored with the degree of power the leaders of those fascist states had, they seemed to decide “hey, let’s do the same thing here”.