Calitics - Recent Comments

WOW !!

frisco — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:06:41 GMT

This looks like a pretty good deal
I'm a little surprised
But, this does seem to make Health Insurance a little more affordable for moderate/low income people

The fact that this is available to all people with pre-existing conditions makes it even more remarkable

Bravo, President Obama
I've been down on you for your mediocre record in office
But, this seems like a real achievement
Good Job

O Canada, how we may emulate thee

DoomsDave — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:09:27 GMT

ObamaCare (aka RomneyCare II) is certainly an improvement over the Wild-West Profiteers of before. No discriminating against pre-existing conditions.

Best of all, it gets people talking about the issue and, might, perhaps, make the majority realize that the bigger the pool, the better.

But, I see huge practical problems, too. The biggest is that even at capped rates, insurance will be too costly for many people to bear paying. We might see many -- especially "young (they think) immortals" -- paying penalties instead. For someone barely getting by, even a payment of $59 a month will be too much. And if you're making $90K and have a lot of debts, that unsubbed rate could be way too much.

And, other states like Mississippi? Well, this is a California forum, but I toss that out as food for thought.

Maybe the best thing could be to show that the Canadians and the Australians have a good deal and that we could and should emulate them. And get rid of private insurers, who spend beaucoup person-hours trying not to cover you. After you've paid.

Prop 13, 2014, anyone? Everyone in California covered by health insurance, without private insurers, a la Canada.

These will be exciting years, in the Chinese sense.

I too have respect for Dan Walters, much as I do

Seneca Doane — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:14 GMT

for a skunk I see crossing my path. I know what a stink it can create and I make a point of avoiding any contact with it.

As for Rubio being the most moderate Democratic State Senator, aside from wanting to remind you about Lou Correa, your analysis is pretty much right. The analysis I've found most interesting is the one that discusses how this changes the way that the parties and their supports will spend money next year.

Had Perez won, she'd be a strong favorite in SD-14 even without extraordinary measures on her behalf. Given Vidak's win, SD-14 is now going to suck up a lot of money from both parties. Some of that money would inevitably have gone to SD-34 -- Correa's seat, for which fellow "moderate" Jose Solorio is competing, in a race most likely against Supervisor Janet Nguyen. For those who think that SD-14 would be an easier pickup than SD-34 would be a retention, that means less money going into the western OC district. (The Republican candidate will have enough money. Down here, they generally do.)

On the bright side, it will also tend to take money away from other competitive races such as AD-65, where Sharon Quirk-Silva is running for re-election against one of a slew of mostly non-dazzling Republicans. So if Republican money goes into SD-14, it could mean their being less inclined to pour resources into AD-65. I'd take that trade -- especially because I think that Perez wins in 2014 anyway.

Super Majority (for now)

DoomsDave — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:43:24 GMT

I'm with Governor Brown, up to a point.

I remember well how nasty things got back in 1977 (Gove Brown's first time around). The hysteria expressed in interviews on TV over what were then escalating property taxes. And I lived in Ohio at the time, and it made the news back there.

If you're going to raise taxes, do it with care so it will stick. Act in haste, and you may end up losing the supermajority. Or, worse, end up with a Republican majority.

It might help if the legislature could start by getting rid of the need for a supermajority, which, I believe it can under Prop 13.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Gavin Nuisance

frisco — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:04:46 GMT

The people of San Francisco can thank ex-mayor, playboy, restauranteur, Gavin Newsome for having the Super bowl in Santa Clara ...... INSTEAD of in San Francisco

The 49ers tried to build a new stadium in San Francisco
But, Mayor-Playboy Gavin INSISTED they build it in Hunters Point

The 49ers wanted to build elsewhere
But, Little Gavin INSISTED
So they built in Santa Clara instead

THANKS GAVIN !!
How's your Love Life ??

Good point

frisco — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:28 GMT

It sounds like DentiCal is something that should be restored
Hopefully, the Legislative leaders will get together with Gov. Brown to prioritize which programs can be restored and to what extent

It's a pity, because there was a free dental services event in San Jose last week end... with Thousands of people !!
A stop gap, I know

But, wonderful for the people who were served
Google 'free dental care San Jose' or for the city you live in to see what's available

I'm so sorry

Brian Leubitz — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:43:43 GMT

That's really terrible. The cuts to dental care over the last 6 years or so have really been tragic. And ultimately, they may lead to far more unnecessary costs and, in especially tragic cases, tragic deaths.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/...