John Cole's lead says it all about this story:
And what if he gets sick?
But his children are covered:
It's absolutely not OK, but he's doing it anyway. This is what we're up against in this country. Read the article -- there's more.
And on the other hand, there's this:
Switzerland has also imposed strict limits on executive pay.
I'm reminded of the fact that Germany weathered the meltdown in 2008-2009 much better than most other countries, largely because it has a very strong social safety net, including adequate unemployment insurance -- money that went right back into the economy. Of course, I also remember that Germany was campaigning for other countries to cut their spending -- on things like social safety nets.
But on the whole, Europe, at least the parts of it with their collective heads screwed on straight (I'm not counting Britain, which behaved very stupidly with its "austerity" budgets), when faced with things like gross income disparity, faltering consumer demand, and the like, does something about it.
How's that for getting some of your tax dollars back?
“I don’t think that the government should be involved in health care or health insurance,” says Greg Collett, a 41-year-old software developer in Caldwell, Idaho, who would rather pay the fine for now -- $95 the first year -- than signup.
“I calculated it out and it is cheaper for me for the next four years to pay the fine rather than get coverage,” Collett said. “At some point where it would make financial sense to pay for insurance rather than pay fines, I will make the decision from a financial standpoint.”
And what if he gets sick?
But his children are covered:
Collett, who is married and has 10 children, says the kids are covered by Medicaid, the joint state-federal health insurance plan for people with low income and children who are not covered.
But it’s “absolutely not okay,” that they are, Collett says quickly. “There are a lot of people out there that’ll cry foul."
Collett, whose children are home-schooled, likens taking Medicaid to sending children to public school. He also does not approve of government-funded public schools. “The government is taking your money. They are spending it on things they shouldn’t be,” he says. “Trying to get whatever you can back -- I have nothing against that. You have to at some point try and get your tax dollars back.”
It's absolutely not OK, but he's doing it anyway. This is what we're up against in this country. Read the article -- there's more.
And on the other hand, there's this:
Switzerland will hold a vote on whether to introduce a basic income for all adults, in a further sign of growing public activism over pay inequality since the financial crisis.
A grassroots committee is calling for all adults in Switzerland to receive an unconditional income of 2,500 Swiss francs ($2,800) per month from the state, with the aim of providing a financial safety net for the population.
Switzerland has also imposed strict limits on executive pay.
I'm reminded of the fact that Germany weathered the meltdown in 2008-2009 much better than most other countries, largely because it has a very strong social safety net, including adequate unemployment insurance -- money that went right back into the economy. Of course, I also remember that Germany was campaigning for other countries to cut their spending -- on things like social safety nets.
But on the whole, Europe, at least the parts of it with their collective heads screwed on straight (I'm not counting Britain, which behaved very stupidly with its "austerity" budgets), when faced with things like gross income disparity, faltering consumer demand, and the like, does something about it.
How's that for getting some of your tax dollars back?
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