Just got a call from my agent for Medicare Advantage this week.Skip what the 2013 Medicare book says...all companies except for two have pulled out of the Medicare Advantage plans due to new changes. You can go with Humana or United Health Care. So Mr. Biden, I can't keep my Advantage plan as you promised last night.

Your agent called you at 9:30p on a Friday night? What a stud.

... "The whole idea of Medicare Advantage was to drive down the cost of health insurance for the elderly as private insurance companies competing for seniors' business.

That's not what happened. By 2010, the average Medicare Advantage per-patient cost was 117 percent of regular fee-for-service. The Affordable Care Act gives those private plans a haircut and tethers reimbursement levels to the quality of care administered, and patient satisfaction.

...

It's worth noting that there's one area these cuts don't touch: Medicare benefits. The Affordable Care Act rolls back payment rates for hospitals and insurers. It does not, however, change the basket of benefits that patients have access to. And, as Ezra pointed out earlier today, the Ryan budget would keep these cuts in place."

The Washington Post: Romney's right: Obamacare cuts Medicare by $716 billion. Here's how. (August 14, 2012)

David, please reread my post. The first sentence states I received a call from my agent this week. I did not state the time...that is your assumption. The call came in on 10/08 at 11:11 A.M.from the Sterling Representative in Missoula. Happy?
Thank you for your references etc., however, VP Joe Biden said in the debate that my Advantage coverage would not change unless I wanted it to change. I was pointing out the fallacy in his statement. Please address this issue, not the benefits of other health care available. Did Biden misspeak?

[This message has been edited by Mrs. M (10/13/2012)]

I also lost my Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare advantage plan. However, my agent didn't lie to me and tell me it was because of the Affordable Care Act. They chose not to offer the plan because there weren't enough people in Montana that signed up for it.

Health Care Reform", What it is, Why it's necessary, How it works".
Only $7 something at amazon.com and an interesting read in comic book form. Written by Jonathan Gruber...the same guy who wrote the ACA in Mass. and, helped Congress and the President.

I have to chuckle at the timing. My sister's Humana changed in Billings...something about the number of people, etc. Whatever the change...Medicare itself is better now than in the projected voucher for you or someone else to manage. I think I read something like $7800. A friend in Billings had a stitch in the lip and a Tetanus...$2K. Uffda.

Mrs. M., you are welcome to borrow my book:-)

...however, VP Joe Biden said in the debate that my Advantage coverage would not change unless I wanted it to change. I was pointing out the fallacy in his statement. Please address this issue, not the benefits of other health care available. Did Biden misspeak?

Even if Biden did misspeak, (which is a very debatable point) his "error" still doesn't, IMO, justify voting for RMoney/Ryan (not that you said it did) who wants to regress to whatever we had before. The changes to an insurance policy, based on whatever direction the political wind is blowing, do nothing but add to the administrative costs. Lord knows with windsock RMoney/Ryan where you would end up. Vouchers are not good policy regardless of whether we are talking education or healthcare.

Just a quick thought, did it occur to you that maybe the giant corporate entities are doing this now to scare you into voting for the candidate that will be them tax breaks and de-regulations as he screws the pourer middle class by taking away the tax deductions they use most? Almost every economist in the US says this is the only way Romney's economic plan has any chance of working.

You are ofuscating my point. I do not wish to discuss the merits of various health plans etc. There are now only two advantage plans in the state. The person who accused the agent of lying... what a cheap shot! Why won't any of you admit that Biden mispoke? You are ready to accuse others of prevarication but not willing to see it in your own man. Do you really believe they didn't know the Libyan crisis was terrorism for two weeks? I found Biden's heckling obnoxious and some of his statements mendacious.

It's ironic that you are fighting so hard to retain a Medicare plan that costs taxpayers 17% more than average. Are you special? Do all the right-wing rants against "entitlements" not apply to special people like you?

If you thought our current vice president was too aggressive, remember that our last vice president shot a man in the face...

[This message has been edited by howdy (10/13/2012)]

Why won't any of you admit that Biden mispoke?

Perhaps it is because it is not clear that he did. Seems like you are being just a tad didactic.

Joe could very well have talked about something that will not start until 2014. Just checking my book. Imagine the insurance companies are hustling to be a tad creative as they will only be able to utilize 15% to 20% for profit and rewards...!!! To themselves. Thus, refunds will be happening.

I remember when we had BCBS and the fees were pretty high...and, the Gazette ran an article about their lady CEO receiving a bonus of over a million bucks. I just wish it could be Medicare for all.

I will be able to find a plan I will like. I am not hanging on to any plan by my nails. Thank you all for your concern and advice.

The issue is I very clearly heard what Joe said and noted it as I had just spoken with my agent. Just wondered if anyone would admit that Joe gets carried away with his rhetoric. I see so much on this site calling Romney and Ryan liars. Such a mean word... and both sides are capable of skirting the absolute truth!!! Did you notice that my concern was clearly stated in my first post, yet everyone has tried to dance around it, accuse me of ignorance and being selfish, yet no one answered my simple question. Did VP Biden misspeak?
Yes Richard,you are correct, I am probably guilty of being didactic.

Sure, Joe Biden misspoke. Go enjoy your entitlements, hypocrite.

The VP was talking about the effect of Obamacare on your Advantage plan. Within that context he was correct. Your plan changed because of lack of interest in Montana. To insist otherwise is to ignore context, something both parties are wont to do unfortunately.

If you are on Medicare, and have not yet received it, the Medicare & You 2013 book from the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services should be arriving in the mail. This is the official U.S. government Medicare handbook. Page 4 outlines a couple important changes to Medicare since The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has been passed. It also directs you into the booklet for more detailed explanations.

Medicare now covers depression screenings, screenings and counseling for alcohol misuse and obesity, behavior therapy for cardiovascular disease, and more.

It then directs you to page 51 where there is a big list of screenings that are now FREE.

If you reach the coverage gap (donut hole) in your Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), you'll pay only 47.5% for covered brand-name drugs and 79.0% for generic drugs

This used to be 90% for both.

The rest of the booklet is filled with important information. I suggest you read it if you are on Medicare.


For Mrs. M:

Did you notice that my concern was clearly stated in my first post, yet everyone has tried to dance around it, accuse me of ignorance and being selfish, yet no one answered my simple question.

There was no question in your original post.

[This message has been edited by Kelly (10/13/2012)]

I learned something new.

Definition of DIDACTIC


1. a: designed or intended to teach

b: intended to convey instruction and information as well as
pleasure and entertainment <didactic poetry>

2. : making moral observations

- di·dac·ti·cal -- adjective

- di·dac·ti·cal·ly -- adverb

- di·dac·ti·cism -- noun

Examples of DIDACTIC

- <the poet's works became increasingly didactic after his religious
conversion>

- Slaves related human as well as animal trickster tales; they told
Bible stories, explanatory tales, moralistic and didactic tales,
supernatural tales and legends. -Lawrence W. Levine, The
Unpredictable Past, 1993

I made a mistake, the coverage gap was a 90%. In 2012, it changed to 86% for generic.

The time to review Medicare plans is right now...from Oct 15 to the first week in December is the only time plans can be changed. Action for Eastern Montana is able to help anyone on Medicare find the most cost-efficient program. This week I will air an interview with the Action coordinator. Stay Tuned to KYUS/KMTA and Montana East Regional News for the 411 on this year's Medicare issues.

Any response, Mrs. M, or are you too busy spending the teachers' pension you don't really need?

REALLY Buck?? I am sure Mrs. M earned every penny of her pension dealing with children like you.

Richard:

Nice work!

Yeah, yeah, I'm a bastard, but you're missing the point.

This applies to everyone, not just Mrs. M.

Hey everyone,
If you are seeing this and even considering voting Republican, you are in complete denial of damage you will inflict on yourself. If you are seeing this, you can thank the federal government for subsidizing the poop out of the infrastructure that allows us to communicate via the world wide web. If you drive on a road in Montana, you can thank the federal government for subsidizing the poop out of those roadways. If you are a public worker (Mrs. M), you can thank the federal government for subsidizing the ever loving poop out of whatever it is you do, because you can damn well bet this broke ass tax base couldn't/wouldn't support it. If you drink water, yep. It just goes on and on.

The Republican party does not give a poop about you. If they had their way, people who could afford a water treatment plant would drink water. People who could afford roads could drive on them. Please wake the procreate up. I realize Obummer isn't the greatest guy on the planet and the Democrats are about one Hollywood benefit away from making me shoot myself, but every time we vote Republican, the rich guys laugh and hope sooner or later we'll have to buy our own water treatment plants.

Thanks for listening. If you disagree, I hope you'll consider setting your computer on fire to use for heat and light.

Mrs. M

I agree with you but you need to understand that most of these people seem to be Democratic, and anything anyone says will back talk. It took me awhile to see this, and the people on MC.com have very strong opinions.

Buck, I think your last post is the best one you've ever written.

[This message has been edited by Wendy Wilson (10/14/2012)]

Agree Buck, very correct and to the point and a post that I would hope that all would read and have the ability to understand and follow...However, I am not that optimistic...thanks for posting it and if it made just a few wake up, it was worth it...

I do think there is a tendency to feel emotion when there is so much at stake. Buck, in his way, has hit the nail on the head. So many have elderly involved in Medicare and it will be a goner as we know it if you chose the Ryan budget and that includes those 55 and above as well. Much involved in their medication. I have friends who are Republicans but not Tea Party Republicans and they see it loud and clear as well.

There are candidates and those in power who have signed pledges with the ATR or joined ALEC and are beholden to the Corporations and even if you are a 53% individual, you could be greatly affected as well. Much effort was made in the last legislature. They were already there. We paid their salaries while they were beholden to others who do not even live in our state nor care about the people of Montana.

We receive mail for my deceased brother in law and Rick Hill wrote that we need the "Right to cheat you on work wages law" in Montana. A big effort if he is elected. That has been voted down in Montana and it is not necessary to bring it up again. Why go after teachers and firemen and police, etc.

I believe it takes study to learn the truth but it is out there...you just cannot get it from television or newspapers. The Billings Gazette announced their bankruptcy because they made an unfortunate deal..and, now they think they should chose who WE should Vote for. Never ends. The networks are owned by Corporations who dictate their slant.

Disclaimer: This is not an affront to anyone on this thread because I think we all try our best:-) I would rather not say anything but I feel strongly that we need a decent future for our kids, grandkids and great grandkids and just hope that you feel the same. Please study the issues. That's all.

Ms. M.

To answer your question, Biden did not misspeak, he lied.

When are you liberals going to wake up. Obama care is intended to run private insurance companies out of business. Advantage care plans are administered by private companies and not medicare. This takes the gov. out of a gov. plan. Liberals don't want private companies doing anything they think the idiots in DC can run.
Advantage care plans are great plans for the healthy seniors. They will be gone soon if Obumma care remains. Soon all private insurance companies will be broke, and liberals will be happy. Just think of all the new welfare voters this will produce.
Obama declared war on ins. companies just like he did on coal, and oil companies. Why do you think gas prices are so high? They will remain high until Obummer is out.
In response to the reply that stated her insurnace co. did not say they dropped their advantage plan because of Obummercare. Obummer ORDERED the insurance companies to NOT tell customers the about why their rated are going up, and why they drop coverages.

Wake up liberals. We are headed for socialism.

God, I hope private insurance plans are run out of business! They and their profits are the major problem with healthcare in America. SINGLE PAYER is the only way to go.

no truer words were ever spoken Amorette...well said!!!

Holy crap on a cracker, is there some correlation between the "moran factor" that shows up out of the blue and low air pressure?

As I said on my FB page: You can't reason with people who lack the ability to think reasonably and for themselves. When you have the middle class fighting for the rights of millionaires to pay a lower tax rate than they pay, coming at the expense of their children's education, you're obviously dealing with people who lack the ability to grasp the fundamentals of reality and common sense.

I love that Tom with two m's and the other ignorants think government should stay out of everyone's business, except when it involves gas prices. What a procreateing shock.

It is a shame that unless you are a liberal on MC.COM you are an idiot. Liberal name calling is stupid and only shows the stupidity of the name caller.
The fact that I challanged the above liberals with my knowledge of insurance seems to be a bad thing to do. I base my statements on over 36 years of insurance experience. Yes, I do actually work and earn a living. I do pay taxes, and that makes me an enemy of the liberals on here.
Keep on making this a liberal site.

Liberal name calling is stupid and only shows the stupidity of the name caller.

Is it too much to ask that you find the irony in that statement?

I'm going to keep counting. We have two Jew haters, one of which would like to redistribute wealth, and now let's add some genius employed in insurance (which the government is going to require us to purchase - thank you President Obama), and three votes for Romney. Honestly, what the procreate?

Perhaps the schools should have done a better job of teaching "critical thinking" or at least ban the propaganda sites like Fox News...or require journalists to only write or broadcast true stories...what a change that would be (like in the "good ole days")...Money has bought out the truth tellers in this nation and it is sad IMO...

It is a shame that unless you are a liberal on MC.COM you are an idiot. Liberal name calling is stupid and only shows the stupidity of the name caller.
The fact that I challanged the above liberals with my knowledge of insurance seems to be a bad thing to do. I base my statements on over 36 years of insurance experience. Yes, I do actually work and earn a living. I do pay taxes, and that makes me an enemy of the liberals on here.

So Tomm, please explain the following graphs:





Why do all of the countries with single payer systems, say like Australia, have significantly lower healthcare costs than the United States? Please educate me.

I work and earn a living and have since I was young enough to babysit. Got paid 50¢ an hour back then. I have been married to the same man for 34+ years. I pay taxes and don't particularly gripe about it. I own flags, guns and haven't missed a vote in years. I am eligible for the DAR.

Guess what?

I AM A FLAMING BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL.

Yes, it is possible to be a hard-working, patriotic, tax-paying LIBERAL. There are lots of us around if you would just open your eyes and look. We are liberals because we see going backwards as an impossible idea. We see repeating the same mistake about lowering taxes as a way to reduce debt as an impossible idea. We see "trickle down" etc. etc.

We can't take away the vote from women or people of color. We can't go back to the gold standard. We can't decide that since science is bad, everyone should move into caves.

We also tend to be compassionate about the poor, the sick and the disenfranchised, as opposed to being contemptuous of them.

We are honest to goodness PROGRESSIVE Americans.

Deal with it.

Down with health insurance companies!!!!! Up with single payer!!!! That alone could save our economy!!!!

+infinity Amorette!!! A million dittos from me....

I don't know why people keep bothering with these discussions. This board is clearly not a place where anyone is open to new ideas. All we're doing here is trying to craft creative insults I guess to feel like we've won something or that we're smarter than somebody else.

Regardless of whether or not VP Biden mis-spoke or not, and I think he did not eloquently express what he meant. The reason most profit making insurance companies are exiting their Medicare Advantage plans is that they will be limited to only making 20% profit under the new Health Care laws. Those same companies have been making over 20% profit for years and increasing premiums to make more profit, thus driving up health care costs.
As a member of the 47 percenters (I am retired and draw SS) I will be eligible for Medicare next year and am glad it will be available for me even tho I have private insurance that I will keep as a secondary insurance. I will not have to pay for Part B or Part D Medicare because of my private insurance.
Romney/Ryan want to go to a voucher system to help pay for Medicare and not limit the insurance companies to a 20% profit.
Yay for Medicare and Obama Care and the way they are trying to control Health Care costs.
Obama/Biden and 4 more years to try and help us middle class people

I don't know why people keep bothering with these discussions. This board is clearly not a place where anyone is open to new ideas. All we're doing here is trying to craft creative insults I guess to feel like we've won something or that we're smarter than somebody else.

Levi, with all due respect isn't your statement a little "Trumpish". Just sayin'

~~~~~~~
Hopefully, Tomm will come back and explain why all of the countries with a single payer healthcare system spend substantially less that we do in the U.S. Why is that? Why wouldn't it be a good thing for us to do?

Once again, the purpose of a thread is lost to diatribe! When Obamacare was first introduced - well, after Pelosi had signed it so she could figure out what was in it - Medicare Advantage plans were targeted. We subscribed to other plans before Obamacare because I didn't like the restrictions that the Advantage plans had. When we reviewed plans and costs, knowing that the effects of Obamacare would gouge the Advantage plans, I advised against subscribing to them. You are right, Mrs. M, Joe Biden "misspoke", the politically correct word for "lied", except I don't think Mr. Biden is fully aware of the details of Obamacare, and lying implies knowledge of a fact and purposely stating otherwise.

I love how, despite these points:

* "By 2010, the average Medicare Advantage per-patient cost was 117 percent of regular fee-for-service."

* "And, as Ezra pointed out earlier today, the Ryan budget would keep these cuts in place."

Our "fiscally conservative" crowd thinks they're special and entitled to have taxpayers pay more for their care. And even though the Ryan budget would do the exact same thing it sure won't stop them from voting for Romney/Ryan.

Is there anyone on the right with even an ounce of credibility? What is with you guys?

Are you self-professed liberals this mean and ugly in public or just on here?

Are you self-proclaimed emasculated-cat conservatives so thin-skined, nieve and weak in public or just on here?

I am one of the nicest people around. Those liberals that post whom I have met are all very nice people as well. And I imagine that most of the conservatives that post here are nice well-meaning folks too.

I'm a realist. Liberal where the heart tells me to mind and conservative where I have to be. Reality dictates what I do. Do you not notice the downright meanness of the professed liberals on here? I'm sure you are nice in public. But if some of these same discussions came up with a group in public are you as mean spirited and hateful in that setting? Most of my life I've worked with the public. I have my own views but I can assure I have done more to help others when the need arose than I have to help myself. I've always lived my life where the rubber meets the road. Not looking down on the road but actually in the road. I'm more liberal than the "labelists" want to give me credit for. I just do it from the heart and not for public credit or gain.

TomScat-

Is your statement about mean thing said by liberals an official challenge? C'mon liberals, post your links to prove the "grand" OLD party is just as nasty!

I am not exactly sure what you are referring to as "meanness", but since you are relatively new here and I am not sure if you are from perhaps I can provide a better understanding.

Most of those who are "self-professed liberals" have been posting here for many years, some even a decade. In that length of time, you come to understand their points of view and some of their personal experiences that shape their thinking. It is simply a matter that you come to accept them for who they are, and understand their personality. Bridgier is a great example. He uses truckloads of sarcasm and sardonic speak. You might think he is "mean" but once you understand his perspective on life you come to understand that he has a way of speaking shockingly to get to the truth. I have not met him in person, but I would wager big money that he is one of the nicest people you would ever met.

Secondly, you have to understand that most that post here grew up with the common understanding and experiences of life in Miles City, MT. As such, there is a comfortableness with one another where we can "tease", mock, roast, etc. one another much like brothers and sisters. We are in many ways a big, at times dysfunctional, family.

Thirdly, after you have been here a while you will notice recurring themes, particularly with political threads. Having to dismiss and debunk some of the recurring urban legend and mythology tends to try peoples patience.

One of the problems with communication is the illusion that it actually occurred. Further, much of what is communicated in life is non-verbal. I sometimes struggle conveying the the "poop-eating grin" on my face as I comment on things in a way that you might perceive as being "mean". I suspect others do as well.

In person, I am a quiet, almost shy person who listens to others three times more than I talk. Many others here likely are the same. Hope that helps you understand our little world here at MC.com

It definitely does Richard. Personality enters into this a bunch. I do get stirred up myself. I am a Southerner and generally, we are...well Southern hospitality and all that. Speaking one's mind can be done without all the meanness. If it is done within your own little group it's certainly understandable. But no one on here knows me. I've had some pretty mean stuff directed at me that I don't like. Trying to have "thick skin," but being mean is not natural to me. I suppose I am becoming one of the "regulars" on here as well as around the town albeit slowly. I can either get used to the attitudes and language on here or leave I suppose. But that is one of the reasons why things are in the shape they are in now. Most people are out tending to their own lives and leaving the "fox to guard the hen house."

I am a Southerner and generally, we are...

willing to steal the labor of others and incite rebellion to continue the institutionalization of such theft?

I am too from the south, and I am a proud liberal after witnessing the civil rights movement as well as precivil rights period where blacks had to actually go into the bushes behind a store in order to go potty...Thus I grew up with a strong sense of what's right and what's not...I was a teen when the civil rights movement was at its strongest and was even able to go to a ML King speech once...everytime I return to the south (which isn't often thankfully) I find the attitudes about race so disgusting it makes me sick to death...such ignorance is hard for me to listen to...in todays age, I cannot believe how much racism is still in the south...it is like stepping back in time a hundred years...

[This message has been edited by howdy (11/5/2012)]

Don't know where you go or where you were from. I was a local politician before coming here. Our U.S. Representative is black. He plainly stated that our town cannot get the grants other towns around us get because we do not have enough minorities in our town. How racist is this? The police chief of the closest large city, after the white chief was ousted, publically stated that it was payback and that the city would never see another white in power. I suppose this suits you. I'm not quite as old as you I suppose, I was a child in the 60's, but I can tell you the tables have turned, and not for the better. I still have a home there. My family is there. You are isolated from that here. The counties around mine are anywhere from 50% to 90% black. People actually get along very well. I especially get along very well with everyone because I treat people with respect until they prove they are not worthy of it. If you choose to check this out, there are whites being killed in places like Detroit, Kansas City, Denver, etc., as games played by blacks. You don't believe what I'm saying is true because it doesn't make it to the national news. If a white kills a black it is a national news story. You don't have to like what I'm saying, and of course are going to label me, but it is true whether you like it or not. You are still living in the past.

Oh, we're getting so close now... I know I mentioned it before, but I we are truly only a post or two away from a Frank & Beans Event...

http://www2.tbo.com/news/...ar-406733/

You poor white man, you need to read about the black on black statistics...Stop feeling sorry for yourself because it is far more dangerous to be black in this nation...

I'll revert to your tactics. You poor white fool. I don't need statistics as I have told you because I LIVE in the reality! I've only been here two years. I'm attempting to tell you the here and now that I have seen, lived and know to be true! You refuse to believe because you saw the reality that was then! The slave is becoming the master. I suppose you applaud this.

The slave is becoming the master. I suppose you applaud this.

Has it ever occurred to you that people are equal and no one has to be the 'master?'

Was Boy In Kansas City Racial Fire Attack A Victim Of His School's Racist Teaching?

The boy raised his hand, eager to answer the question. "What would you know about it?" exclaimed the teacher dismissively. "You're not our race."

This was not dialogue from a Hollywood movie. According to a woman named Melissa Coon, it was what a teacher at East High School in Kansas City told her 13-year-old son, Allen, when he attempted to answer a question during Black History Month.

Coon identifies that teacher as Mrs. Karla Dorsey, who is black; Allen is white.

As has already been reported, Allen was a victim of a vicious racial attack last week in which two older black teens doused him with gasoline and set him alight, saying, "This is what you deserve. You get what you deserve, white boy."

Not surprisingly, Coon has pulled her son out of East High and, concerned about further racial violence, intends to leave the K.C. area.

While this crime is making headlines, Coon states that it was merely the horrible culmination of continual racial harassment her son had to endure at East High. Moreover, after conducting an investigation that included extensive interviews with parents and students, I've learned that Coon's son is not alone. Other white students also report a pattern of racial harassment at the high school at the hands of their peers - and, shockingly, their teachers.

Two of these victims were the twin 14-year-old daughters (first names withheld upon request) of Karin Wildeisen. Ever since their family relocated from Texas, they had endured racial animosity in the Kansas City school system and inappropriate behavior by staff, which included teachers laughing while boys humiliatingly manhandled the girls and a teacher slapping one of them on the backside. But there was far worse to come.

The twins started coming home and talking about the goings-on in an advanced-English class taught by a teacher Wildeisen identifies as Ms. Veda Monday. Wildeisen said that her daughters told her, "There are four white kids in the class; they are being targeted racially." They said that Monday, who is black, was feeding the class racial material, about which Wildeisen notes, "She's teaching advanced English; she has no reason to be teaching civil rights."

But then there was the straw that broke the camel's back. One day, Monday allegedly showed an explicit film involving portrayals of whites lynching blacks and then, reports ex-Texan Wildeisen, "in front of the class attacked my daughters, telling them that `everybody from Texas is ignorant rednecks'" and that all white people were "responsible for Jasper because [their] skin is white." This reference is to an atrocity in Jasper, TX, in which three white men murdered a black man in 1998.

Amorette,
Is this what history has shown us, that people are equal?

Crime
Censorship
mobs
hate crime
Media
.

Advertisement



Recently, editors for the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune have all publicly admitted to censoring black crime. They all said they justified it to protect blacks from being stigmatized. In his recent undercover videos, LA Lawyer Ben Shapiro recorded the creator of the TV show COPS stating the same thing.

All have decided that political correctness is more important than public safety. In recent days there has been a major online backlash against these policies. It is playing out on newspaper websites in the comment sections, on craigslist "rants," youtube comments, and facebook.

Many in South Carolina are particularly outraged over the treatment of the near fatal beating of Carter Strange in Columbia, SC. Carter Strange, 18, was jogging late at night near five points. A group of 8 black males aged 13-18 were out looking for a white person to attack.

They pounced on Strange and beat him almost to death. It wasn't until four days later that the story began receiving significant media attention in the Columbia area. The media and the Columbia Police have made no mention of "hate crime" or "lynching."

The website for The State filled up with angry comments demanding that the newspaper call the attack a "hate crime." The State responded by deleting all the comments and disabling future comments on the story. There is a strong sense, that had the races been reversed, the media would be reporting it much more aggressively and using much stronger terms.

On Sunday, June 27th, the Peoria Chronicle reported a statement from the president of a neighborhood association about a rash of violence and disturbances from large groups of young black males. The incidents had been going on for weeks. He said the mobs target whites. In a recent incident, black teens were screaming, "Kill all whites" in his neighborhood.

The local Peoria FOX & NBC station interviewed residents who confirmed that violent mobs have been terrorizing the neighborhood. However, all mention of race was censored in the report.

After the Drudge Report posted a link to the Peoria Chronicle Sunday, thousands of posts and comments began appearing online. Many slammed the Peoria Journal Star, the city's daily paper, for never mentioning the mobs. Finally, the Peoria Journal Star broke their silence. The wrote an article calling the events "exaggerated" and attempted to smear the president of the Altoona Park neighborhood association.

However, the last two sentences in the Journal Star article seem to confirm that the story is true after all.

"
Rogers says the crowd was running wildly around yards and porches. It was the largest Rogers, 38, had ever seen in the neighborhood.

"They were doing a show of force," he said, "to show everybody, 'Hey, this is their hood.'"

Peoria, IL and Columbia, SC are not the only places where these events are occurring. Over the weekend, half a dozen whites were viciously assaulted by a mob of young blacks in Philadelphia. Police say the mob ranged from 50-100 people.

One woman had her leg broken. Two other were hospitalized with facial injuries. Yet the Philadelphia Inquire completely censored all mention of race in their article. No mention of "hates crimes" either.

No one has ever claimed that censoring information about crime makes the public safer. So why are major media bosses justifying all of this censorship? It is time to put public safety above political correctness and confront crime as it happens.

If media, police, and politicians do not openly and honestly confront the growing trend of brutal black on white crime things will only get much worse. It will also severely poison race relations in this country. Censorship is never justified when it puts the public in danger.
..

That would be a no, then.

Amorette, I've been told you are a local writer for the paper. You of all people then should be well informed on what goes on all over instead of just in this part of the US. As little time as I have to search for news, I do. But I understand we read the things that interest us. I have a wife, kids and family that I worry about so perhaps I keep abreast of different things than you.

Tom, can I suggest you quit being such a big vagina?

Buck, I know none of you on here, but I can assure you that as a man who has made his living the majority of his 32 working years with his own two hands as a logger and owning and operating machinery, can assure you that you are more of a vagina than I could ever be capable of being. You sir, if you are a man, may bite me but I'm sure you tend to be inclined to like that sort of thing anyway.

I read news sources from all over the world. I am aware that human beings commit violence against each other all over the world, all the time, for any number of reasons. To be afraid of a person because of their genetic background is one of the favorite reasons and is right up there with being afraid of them because of their superstitions for stupid.

Yes. White people hurt white people. Black people hurt black people. Brown people hurt brown people. Pink people hurt pink people. And any combination thereof. The common thread, you may notice, is the people part.

You are exactly right Amorette. One of the things I truly love about being here is that we can walk around day or night without fear. Children can ride their bikes or play all over town even after dark. My wife could not believe this. We were amazed that people can gather in the park without fear. Sound crazy to you? It's not that way back home. My step daughter, a liberal mind you, has moved here also. She cannot believe the difference in quality of life for her and her children and says she will never return to the South. I have discussed these issues with her over the last few days and told her of the discussions of here. She is a liberal I repeat, but she has seen the things I speak of first hand and on most, agrees with me. Not because she wants to but because of living and seeing truth.

You should check out Canada. It's white paradise for pu$$ies like you.

Whatever are you talking about Tom Cat? What do you see that is different between MC and the South?

I'm sure it's "less government". Check out this great language game I'm developing. Every time a "conservative" posts something, substitute catch phrases like "entitlements" and "less government" with terms like "black people" and "abortions". Not only is it amusing, it's an accurate translation.

Fear = black people

You are exactly right Amorette. One of the things I truly love about being here is that we can walk around day or night without black people. Children can ride their bikes or play all over town even after dark. My wife could not believe this. We were amazed that people can gather in the park without black people. Sound crazy to you? It's not that way back home. My step daughter, a liberal mind you, has moved here also. She cannot believe the difference in quality of life for her and her children and says she will never return to the South. I have discussed these issues with her over the last few days and told her of the discussions of here. She is a liberal I repeat, but she has seen the things I speak of first hand and on most, agrees with me. Not because she wants to but because of living and seeing truth.

Buck, I know none of you on here, but I can assure you that as a man who has made his living the majority of his 32 working years with his own two hands as a logger and owning and operating machinery, can assure you that you are more of a vagina than I could ever be capable of being. You sir, if you are a man, may bite me but I'm sure you tend to be inclined to like that sort of thing anyway.

As much as I love Buck, I think Tom won this one.

Tom Cat, I would deeply appreciate if you would stop your racist comments on this site...it is offensive to many of us and is a form of hatred...PLease, I ask you in the most respectful tone, stop it and stop it NOW....

+1,000 to howdy.

Enough with the fear of uppity nigras. I don't know why you moved to eastern Montana but I wish you would either stop being such a racist whackjob or move to western Montana, where you belong.

The intelligent discussion is over when the fear and bigotry come into play.

Say, how do you feel about injuns? We got some mighty uppity and sceery injuns round here.

I'm done.

Wendy and Tom, standing in a ring, burning an e-f-f-i-g-eee.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)covers white people, black people,
brown people, yellow people, red people (hope I did not leave any out) and any other color people. The key word is people.
Don`t know how this post turned into people spouting words like discrimination, prejudice, race and trying to incite hate among people.
Just saying

Buck your pretty much an idiot not worthy of any response. Bridgier there are tons of differences not just in the South and Miles City but all over the United States. Howdy I'm not racist but the things I have seen in my time are entirely different than what you saw in the 50's and 60's. I like to eat at Wendy's here in MC specifically because Thomas, a black man from Louisiana, is manager here. In comparion to some of the other fast food places I have eaten here, he runs the best kept one. Back home I vote for black people in every election because they are the best person for the job. That is the way it should be. I'll give credit where it is due but not lump it together and spread it around as an "entitlement," one of the key words used on here in reference to or as "trap wording" for conservatives, as if entitlements do not exist. Don't much believe in following because I can see myself, but ya know, jus 'cause' we all got eyes, don't mean we see the same things. Montana is a wonderful place, but I can assure you the "Montana Values" I was shown earlier on here can be lost due to not being able to see what is coming at you from down the road. People are not the same beyond being human. Period. Do you not believe that?

Amorette, I have only worked around a few Indians since I have been here and they seem to be fine. They worked the same as I did and were very nice to me and I to them. But I can tell you that when I asked about wanting to visit the reservation to see how things were there, I was told in no uncertain terms by them, and there were two, that I had best call one of them first before coming there. They told me that life there was not like it is on the outside of the reservation. I don't know but can only relay what I was told. This may be only where they live I don't know. It certainly doesn't have to reflect the entire reservation I'm sure. But let me ask you this, If Miles City were to overnight become 70% Native American population, do you think life here would be different for those of us not Native American?

Actually Larry if you will read the entire thread you will see I commented on the meanness of some on this site and from there I wound up defending myself an my southern honor against Bridgier and howdy, and will continue to against those that live in the past, in an unreal idealist mind and simply cannot see what is out there. So if mean is the accepted tone of this site I think you will see I have acclimated well. After all, isn't being liberal all about diversity and inclusiveness? I think liberals can be just as hard-headed, ornery, stubbern, racist and closed minded as those they spew their self-rightous idealist unrealistic views towards. But that is just an opinion I formed after reading posts on here.

I do not live in the past and my last trip to the south was less than a year ago...I saw the exact same backwards type thinking as usual and the same racist comments only a tad bit more hateful..so you are wrong and your comment about "supporting businesses that are managed by a black man" or "voting for a black" for whatever reason is akin to "some of my friends are black" which a veiled racist statement and has been for years...give it up and STOP talking about blacks totally and you will do much better with me and a lot of others on this thread...

Ok if you will reread all of this you will see you brought up the words "civil rights, blacks and racism," I simply commented on subject matter I have first hand knowledge of. My original comment on this thread was on noting how mean some of the people on here are. They still are. Would you like to call a moratorium on issues of race? I will be glad to as long as someone else doesn't make a comment that I have first hand knowledge of a different insight which is how all of these comments originate to begin with. Deal?

I only mention race and racism when I see it unless it is in an article that I found newsworthy...I won't make a deal with you or anyone else on here as I think that is silly...I just follow my values and post accordingly...You should stop trying to make everything a black/white issue and crying for the poor south and get over it ...For your information, after the civil war, more southerners moved to Montana than any other western state...which I always found interesting...Try to think of other things besides your black and southern thing and I think you will be better off...

Unfortunately everything back home is reduced to that issue, but enough of that. One of the things I like about here is the celebration, if that is the word, of one's heritage. An example is the Christmas walk booth's variety of foods and snacks and the different nationalities behind them. It is nice to see one hold on to their heritage and to be able to experience a small part of it with them.

I am hoping to not be ridiculed for posting but here's a quick
note about some of the insurance issues. My husband who is self employed purchases private health insurance for him & our 2 kids. With all that is going on with the government their policy premium doubled at their renewal. It's a $5,000 deductible and they paid no claims last year. But, being self
employed doesn't leave many options for coverage. However, we make it work and feel like we are lucky to be able to have a choice and not be told at we have to do. As far as the coverages offered in Canada and Australia they aren't so great. This summer my parents were visiting with an Australian and he said that they should hope that they don't have to be subjected to Obamacare. He said their coverage is horrible. Also, my dad has several friends in Canada. Sure they are all covered but you had better hope you never have any catastrophic illnesses. You might die before you get the treatment you need. Their coverage dictates where, when and if you are priority enough to be treated. During the winter Arizona is full of Canadians who go there to get healthcare because they can't get their care up there. To me that is scary. I Don't want some government bureaucrat that sits behind a desk to decide whether I can be treated or whether my children can receive care. If they want to have a healthcare system like Canada then it should be compared apples to apples and every citizen would pay the same amount or an amount calculated based on income and not based on higher income individuals paying for others to have coverage. There's nothing to say that isn't where we are headed by letting government be in control of things like healthcare. I know they are saying that they are just trying to make it affordable but I don't see where $900/ month for 3 healthy people with a high deductible and no claims paid is an affordable premium. I'm guessing that one reason people have so many negative thoughts on Obamacare is because they feel like they are being forced. Which is exactly what it is. We are not being allowed to make a choice, we are being told that this is what we have to do. On top of that we are being made to feel as though we have to basically "donate" our hard earned money in the form of taxes and fees so that someone else can get affordable insurance while we pay a high premium. I've seen how comments are being made that say to just tack on an additional amount onto the price of goods and services but if every business and/or employer did this how are people going to be able to afford higher taxes and higher priced goods and services? It's a viscous circle and where will it end? I don't know the answer to this but with Obamacare being implemented does an employer has to offer or provide coverage to all employees even part time workers? It isn't something that only affects liberals or conservatives but rather the entire nation as a whole. We all have opinions but I feel those opinions are based on a lot of emotion and concern. If the opinions aren't based on that then we should all be worried. We all want to be able to continue to live our lives based on the choices and decisions we make and not based on decisions that are made for us by someone else.

This website might help answer all of your questions. Rather than repeat anecdotal information, why not educate yourself on what the program actually offer, since it is the law of the land.

http://finder.healthcare.gov/

My anecdotal evidence is friends and relatives I have who live in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK think our health care system is INSANE. The idea of losing everything you own because you get sick baffles them. They worry about their health, not their bills, when they get sick.

Yes, you have to wait for non-emergency procedures, but you have the option of having those procedures without facing bankruptcy.

Obamacare is far from perfect as almost everyone will agree but it is a start in the right direction and if we all work together, we can pass a new single payer one of these days that will be wonderful...

Also, employers get tax credit for providing health insurance, so they really shouldn't whine so much.

Ironically. the current plan is based on a plan Bob Dole, that famous liberal, invented that allowed the insurance companies to continue to make money. In a real socialist plan, the insurance companies would be out of the picture.

Ah, that would be nice. . .no more arguing with people who care about their profit margin rather than your health. No more 'out of network' physicians. No more 'you can't have that procedure because we want you to have a cheaper one first, even though you doctor says the cheaper one won't help.'

I hate insurance companies.

Honestly we've all hated the insurance company at one time or another, however, that same insurance company has provided payments to billions of people and taken care of their medical needs. Why on earth would we want to give control of our medical needs and healthcare over to our government? I guess America has been built by people taking risks and risking everything they have to build businesses that benefit others. Insurance companies are no different. Yes, we may not agree with some of their BS but they are a business just like everything else out there. If we give control of healthcare over what's next? Single pay systems aren't the way to go when you will be told when, where, how, and if you will receive care. Under the single pay system it isn't just non-emergency procedures that are put off. You get told when and where you will go for treatment and it might me 6 months or a year before you get treated. By that time that non-emergency procedure may have killed you because you weren't high enough on their category list. Oh sorry you can die before you get treatment because you aren't important enough. Unfortunately in the past 11 years I've had first hand experience with medical problems and insurance companies. They may have thought the things that happened to me were non-critical which might have ended up with me not being here today. It isn't just the insurance companies that are the problem. It's the facilities that charge 3 times what is necessary in order to get paid a decent amount. Maybe the insurance companies, facilities and providers need to work together better. I personally don't want the government involved in any more of my business that they have to be. As far as businesses getting tax credits for providing coverage so they shouldn't whine. I guess you must be experienced in being a business owner and the expenses with that. I'm sure you are because you always seem to have first hand accounts on everything but I can tell you right now that just because it looks like a business makes a lot of money that isn't how it really is. There are massive expenses that go along with running a day to day operation and the cost of having an employee is outrageous. Add the additional cost of insurance coverage and we would just have to shut the business down. The business that my husband operates looks like they make a ton of money on paper. However, he pays himself a modest salary which is nothing over the top, he drives a vehicle registered to the business and he purchased a shop for the company. Did you know that one would think that should equal quite a bit in deductions. It doesn't. Until I saw things first hand I would've been having the same thoughts as some of you as to why a business couldn't afford the additional. I don't think most people get it. Small businesses don't really make a lot of money when it comes down to it. They make money to live on and support their families, and have the pride in knowing that they have built something successful. At the end of the year taxes were paid on the personal salary, taxes were paid on all of the money taken in and then at the end of the year the IRS holds out their hand for most of what's left. It's a double edged sword but for someone else to dictate what any small business can afford to pay and to suggest that they are doing nothing but whining is pretty out of line. A potential problem right now is that if small businesses are going to be forced to provide health insurance a lot of people are going to lose their jobs which will free up some money from their salary to pay the additional to the government so they can provide the mandated insurance coverage. Now the coverage is being provided which in turn makes the unemployment numbers go up because people lost their jobs in order to meet this requirement. I know I am not the only person when I say this but we are really sick of people wanting the government to control more and more of our lives. It's not right. Freedom of choice is part of what America is built on. Yes, our healthcare system might stink and it might be a little insane and unfair at times but that's how life is. It isn't fair. We are just your typical working class that are trying to build something, raise our families and live our lives. Why would we want the government involved? There's a handful of people on this board that act as though their opinions are the only ones and if you don't agree you get slammed or if you don't agree that means you don't know what you are talking about. I guess it comes down to agreeing to disagree because we obviously don't know what the hell we are talking about if we don't endorse having the government take control of our personal business. It starts with that and then what will be next? What really disturbs me is that the government is mandating this and giving you an ultimatum of pay what we tell you or we will fine you. Wait, it's not a fine it's a tax or was it a penalty? They called it just about everything and it isn't right. So be it. I know it's been said that it's the law of the land but we'll have to sit back and watch to see how this all plays out. I think we are in for a bumpy ride. Small businesses in America may become fewer and fewer over the next few years. That's pretty sad because those are the people who have helped to build America and the free enterprise system. Good luck to all of us little people.

+1.000 to Buck

Julie, do you believe in and support government intervention for social issues (gay rights, prostitution, assisted suicide, abortion, drug laws, etc.)?

Amorette, I'm college edumacated. Your fancy math doesn't fool me.

I suggest everyone check the link Richard provided and check what the actual provisions of the new Health Care Law (Obamacare) and the Afforadable Health Care Law says.
There is a lot of mis-information being put out as supposed facts when they are just not true. You can also check on that link for the definition of small business.

Mary, this may be harsh but for the most part I don't believe in
government involvement in the social issues that you mentioned.
The exception is drug laws because that's not really a social issue but rather public safety. I'm sure
that makes me sound like a bad guy but that's just my opinion.
I don't expect everyone to agree. It's that I disagree with their
involvement in the personal choices of people when they are
forcing it upon people and it will cost the people money. Then
If you choose not follow their mandate then you are penalized. That's what bothers me.