Industrial Espionage û Myth or Everyday Problem

[Dr Maturin]

Oh yeah, and I'll tell you one thing...if anyone ever tries to hijack a plane again in this country, they're going to get rushed. The terrorists do not know how much they've strengthened America by carrying out the devastating attacks.

[David Panzer]

What's sad is that when it's a Republican's turn to appoint judges, the Democrats don't want to play fair and give the judges a vote.

And when a Democrat was in the White House, the Republicans didn't want to play fair and give the judges a vote. Reminds me of when I was in pre-school when something didn't go the way someone wanted, they'd throw a tantrum and yell "No fair", and whine to the teacher.

[Harrdy]

They are the sole reason that decisions are made in government that go against the majority of American opinion.

That doesn't sound very democratic to me...

And here is a little factoid for you: There are places you can live here that would resemble your home country. There are others that would be much more conservative. The great thing is that you can choose a place that best fits you and live there.

Who would have guesst the same is true for Europe! (WOW!)
You could live in England, where work conditions are more similar to USA or you could (try) to live in Germany where there are a lot of social services but also a lot of unemployment. Or you could live in the northern part of the Continent where welfare is even better than in germany. Or you could try the new Member States where things like Flat Tax happen... Europe is before everything else diversive.

PeAcE

[Dr Maturin]

That doesn't sound very democratic to me...

I'd have to agree.

Who would have guesst the same is true for Europe! (WOW!)
You could live in England, where work conditions are more similar to USA or you could (try) to live in Germany where there are a lot of social services but also a lot of unemployment. Or you could live in the northern part of the Continent where welfare is even better than in germany. Or you could try the new Member States where things like Flat Tax happen... Europe is before everything else diversive.

Taxes anywhere in Europe are too high.

[SpooRancher]

Don't ever make the mistake of thinking there is really a dime's bit of difference between Democrats and Republicans in America. They are both interested in control, albeit (at this point) in different areas. They both amount to control freaks. And, if they get their way, it always spreads to new issues.

As to the health care insurance issue: Currently, health insurance is generally available to anyone who wants to get it. There is, however, a cost. The financial burden of carrying health insurance is determined by assessing the risks of the person who wishes coverage. The health insurance companies are in business for one reason, honestly, and that is to make money. To expect them to do otherwise is foolish, and would seriously limit (in the long run) those companies willing to provide the service. So, if you are a young, healthy person with a history of not smoking, you will be able to purchase the insurance coverage at a relatively low cost. If you are older or have preexisting health problems, you will pay more. That is because it is a safe bet that the company will have to pay more claims for the older, less healthy consumer.

What made health insurance so expensive in America WAS the idea that everyone needed it. Dollar one insurance became an expected perq of employment in the 80's. (that means that your doctor visit is entirely covered by the insurance, no deductible). That meant there were a lot more people with insurance they didn't really need, but, since they had it, they might as well use it. That, in turn, clogged up the doctors offices with patients who otherwise would have gone down to Wal-Mart and bought some cough syrup instead of visiting the friendly neighborhood doctor. The increased demand on the doctor's time increased the cost of their services (study your basic economics class). The increased cost of the doctor's time in turn increased the cost of the insurance. Then, we found out that insurance was suddenly a bit too expensive for those who did not work at a company that provided it. So the government stepped in and said that in emergency situations, the hospitals needed to provide care regardless of the patient's ability to pay or insurance status. So, now, instead of going to the doctor at the corner and paying $75 for the chest cold that never went away, people go to the emergency room. The emergency room could, after a quick exam, say that it is not an emergency and send the patient to their doctor, but, it is usually easier just to go ahead and prescribe some medicines and treat them. So, instead of a $75 bill for a doctor visit that is paid before services rendered, the individual now has a $200 charge at the hospital that they have no intention to pay. So, the hospital increases the cost of the emergency room visit for those who do pay, to cover the costs of those who do not. THAT becomes a VERY vicious cycle. The higher costs mean that more patients do not pay. So hospitals end up petitioning the local and state and federal governments for relief for those unpaid bills.

In the end, if someone, somewhere, somehow is getting something for nothing, that means someone, somewhere, somehow is getting nothing for something. It is called the TANSTAAFL principle (pronounced tanstaffel). There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

(BTW, I used to work in an Emergency Room, so I saw this thing happening EVERY day).

[Dr Maturin]

Don't ever make the mistake of thinking there is really a dime's bit of difference between Democrats and Republicans in America. They are both interested in control, albeit (at this point) in different areas. They both amount to control freaks. And, if they get their way, it always spreads to new issues.

There are certain things that need to be controlled by the government, such as the military. A privately-run military wouldn't be wise. And you have to realize that politicians -- mainly congressmen -- say stuff more because they want votes than because it's something they strongly back. I think all Americans are fairly libertarian thinkers. Who LIKES to be pulled over by Barney and given a ticket for going 50 in a 40?

As to the health care insurance issue: Currently, health insurance is generally available to anyone who wants to get it. There is, however, a cost. The financial burden of carrying health insurance is determined by assessing the risks of the person who wishes coverage. The health insurance companies are in business for one reason, honestly, and that is to make money. To expect them to do otherwise is foolish, and would seriously limit (in the long run) those companies willing to provide the service. So, if you are a young, healthy person with a history of not smoking, you will be able to purchase the insurance coverage at a relatively low cost. If you are older or have preexisting health problems, you will pay more. That is because it is a safe bet that the company will have to pay more claims for the older, less healthy consumer.

What made health insurance so expensive in America WAS the idea that everyone needed it. Dollar one insurance became an expected perq of employment in the 80's. (that means that your doctor visit is entirely covered by the insurance, no deductible). That meant there were a lot more people with insurance they didn't really need, but, since they had it, they might as well use it. That, in turn, clogged up the doctors offices with patients who otherwise would have gone down to Wal-Mart and bought some cough syrup instead of visiting the friendly neighborhood doctor. The increased demand on the doctor's time increased the cost of their services (study your basic economics class). The increased cost of the doctor's time in turn increased the cost of the insurance. Then, we found out that insurance was suddenly a bit too expensive for those who did not work at a company that provided it. So the government stepped in and said that in emergency situations, the hospitals needed to provide care regardless of the patient's ability to pay or insurance status. So, now, instead of going to the doctor at the corner and paying $75 for the chest cold that never went away, people go to the emergency room. The emergency room could, after a quick exam, say that it is not an emergency and send the patient to their doctor, but, it is usually easier just to go ahead and prescribe some medicines and treat them. So, instead of a $75 bill for a doctor visit that is paid before services rendered, the individual now has a $200 charge at the hospital that they have no intention to pay. So, the hospital increases the cost of the emergency room visit for those who do pay, to cover the costs of those who do not. THAT becomes a VERY vicious cycle. The higher costs mean that more patients do not pay. So hospitals end up petitioning the local and state and federal governments for relief for those unpaid bills.

In the end, if someone, somewhere, somehow is getting something for nothing, that means someone, somewhere, somehow is getting nothing for something. It is called the TANSTAAFL principle (pronounced tanstaffel). There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

You're a smart man. Always remember, health care is denied to NOBODY in the USA.

[Harrdy]

Taxes anywhere in Europe are too high.

What is "to high" for you? I found a figure about taxation in relation to the BIP (Brutto Inlands Produkt, I think GDP is the english abbreviation). The highest value was for Sweden with 51,4%, then Denmark with 49,8%. The lowest values where for Lithuania with 28,7%, Latvia with 29,1% and Slovakia with 30,9 Prozent. These figures include all aspects of taxes, from income tax to sales to energy tax. Maybe you know the value of the United States? I found 17.4% for 2003, but that value was not so current...

PeAcE