"Can't afford to work"

[vf-xx]

So do you have health insurance in a traditional sense? Or as an alternative do you save and self pay at the doctor?

My current employer offers a high deductable plan with an HSA. Starting part way through the year and knowing my current health expenses, I got the cheapest plan with the highest deductable knowing full well that I won't reach it. Then I have deductions from my check going to the HSA. I pay the doctor's bills as a cash patient, and submit my reciepts to the insurance company to apply towards my deductable in case something catastrophic happens.

So, I suppose the short answer is, No I do not have traditional health insurance.

[maniacmechanic]

There's a much bigger picture than your own selfish interests.

My selfish self interests ; so be it , show me someone in this country that is not interested in thier own selfish interests , the folks who run this country don't give a rats butt about us , I don't care what they say , the liberals in this country have it set up now so that there are actually generations of folks that have been living on welfare , the government money ( unemployment , welfare , AFDC , ect. ) they give to folks should be set up for a stop gap sitituation , not to encourage them to lay around & just collect the gov money

As for me , IF I got laid off i may apply for unemployment , But I'll guarentee i'd be working in a month , somewhere ( might be 1000 miles from home ) , somehow

[Eagle]

I'm only averaging 36hrs most weeks, and a friend on mine on unemployment makes more off the government than I do. Go figure

[gam-e]

Ahh, but see I do understand how it works. I just don't agree with it. I'd have no problems with it, if were something like: the government takes these payments and puts them in a savings account with my name on it, so I can draw on it when I am unemployed. But no, that's not how the government spends my money. They take it, and they promptly give it to someone else. There's a reasonable chance that they won't have the money when/if I need it. I know I''ve heard of states either running out of funding for this or at least almost running out.

Personally I see things such as Unemployment insurance, medicare and social security as money that is being taken from me that I'll never see again. Or at least never see the full amount of. And in any other situation that would be called stealing.

Or a Ponzi scheme

Edit: I've always went to a temp labor agency when I was between jobs. I'll be damned if I don't earn my own way through life, its simply UnAmerican.

[vf-xx]

Or a Ponzi scheme

I know you're joking, but it brings up a point I don't think I was clear on.

I disagree with your joke because: those involved in a ponzi scheme had a choice. They chose (or their agents chose) to give their money to someone based on false promises.

BUT they got to choose.

I get no choice in the matter. Right, wrong, or otherwise, that bothers me.

[drg]

Personally I see things such as Unemployment insurance, medicare and social security as money that is being taken from me that I'll never see again. Or at least never see the full amount of. And in any other situation that would be called stealing.

So you're opposed to the entire idea of insurance then?

[Lohman446]

So you're opposed to the entire idea of insurance then?

Major difference between elective insurance (regulated with % of funds held in account, etc) and government

Though, I don't know how dire of straits they are really in. Under ideal circumstances all government programs should operate very near bankruptcy, a lot left over indicates they are taking too much. It will be interesting to see what happens when the first state declares bankruptcy

[drg]

Major difference between elective insurance (regulated with % of funds held in account, etc) and government

There's a reason basic social insurance is not elective. I'd go so far as to say that nonelective social insurance is part of the fabric of America and American life. Proliferation of hopelessness and the lack of a social safety net would destroy much of what is good about the country. We care about American lives because we can afford to.

Though, I don't know how dire of straits they are really in. Under ideal circumstances all government programs should operate very near bankruptcy, a lot left over indicates they are taking too much. It will be interesting to see what happens when the first state declares bankruptcy

So in other words the fact that is is in rough finances and "projected to go bankrupt" is actually good?

[vf-xx]

So you're opposed to the entire idea of insurance then?

Please do not put words in my mouth. I thought I was clear before, but I will re-iterate:

I have no problems with the concept of insurance. I have problems with being forced to pay for something that I have absolutely no say in.

Automotive insurance: Required, however I can choose the level of coverage and the provider. Or I can just not drive (depending on where I live)

Same thing with Home owners insurance.

Things like unemployment insurance I don't have ANY say in. Period.

Is my point clear?

[Hexis]

Under ideal circumstances all government programs should operate very near bankruptcy, a lot left over indicates they are taking too much.

I get what you are trying to say, but I think what you mean is with no deficit or surplus, not near bankruptcy.

[vf-xx]

I get what you are trying to say, but I think what you mean is with no deficit or surplus, not near bankruptcy.

Zero sum balance sheets?

[drg]

I have problems with being forced to pay for something that I have absolutely no say in.

You have more say in public insurance than you have in private ones, as a member of the board, essentially.

[CaptainMorgan13]

Uhh I hate to brake it to you guys but I was actually doing a service call for work yesterday and had to go by the Social Security office/ Unemployment office... not only was the lot full, but almost every single car in there was nicer then mine??? I'm 23, been in the Army, I HAVE ALWAYS PAID MY BILLS AS WELL AS MY SCHOOL!!! I go to school full time and work 30 something hours while I do it, hell right now I'm at work at 1:00 AM just to make sure things are done. While is some HOOD RAT, riding on 23's in his brand new, blacked out Tahoe in the unemployment line and I have to go BACK to Iraq to have nice things? Take a piss test and work at McDonalds, hell have some respect for yourself. Too many people want too much these days and it makes me sick that people expect things, rather then going out and working for them these days. These next 3 years are going to be the longest of my life...

[skife]

Or a Ponzi scheme

Edit: I've always went to a temp labor agency when I was between jobs. I'll be damned if I don't earn my own way through life, its simply UnAmerican.

ever been to a temp agency in michigan?

the only job i was offered was a job at alticore(amyway) and i had to call every day to see if they had work for me.

needless to say, i went back ot delivering pizza.

[drg]

Uhh I hate to brake it to you guys but I was actually doing a service call for work yesterday and had to go by the Social Security office/ Unemployment office... not only was the lot full, but almost every single car in there was nicer then mine???

Must have taken you a while to check to make sure that each car belonged to a person collecting unemployment and to verify that those people were in fact using unemployment unfairly to own said cars. Because you did that, right?