onwa

Traffic in Hawaii is horrible. Hated driving there. Took forever to get from Honolulu to any outlying area. It shourl not take 1.5 hours to go 20 miles. Too many people on the island. And soon its going to sink. lol.

As a teacher, I can't think of a more stupid idea then to carry a gun. I had a gun put in my hand at a very young age. My dad wanted me to trap shoot with him. I am a horrible shot. I am horrible at all things that require visual spatial skills.and its not for lack of trying. I do not have time to be trained. teachers are already supposed to be subject area matter experts, English language learner experts, special needs experts, behaviour experts, customer service experts, executive secretaries, event planners, and creative lesson planners. And now I need to be an experienced marksman. Geez. One armed professional per school makes more sense than the idea that a teacher should be required to carry a gun to school.

You're welcome. So are you a RWN or an America-hating Prog? Please identify your allegiance so I know what tone to use in future interactions with you.

And don't even pretend you're somewhere in the middle. No one is. Well not on P&R anyway. It is simply not done.

I am a left-leaning centrist, so I guess that makes me an American-hating Prog.

I used to be active, when I was dealing with immigration. Prefer to lurk, for the most part. Except for now. Reading is easier than typing. Will go back to lurking as I don't want to exert too much effort. That really does make me a liberal.

I know I am a lurker. But have been one for 7 1/2 years. Found myself asking myself why I keep coming back. I guess I am attached to all these online personalities that have been on here just as long or longer then I have. I have absolutely no need for immigration and yet I love to read this politics forum, especially during election season! Thank you all for being so amusing. And I need to get a life I think.

So you don't believe evolution works the way "they" say it does, because you don't understand it. I mean, I'm not trying to be rude here, but you're basically saying "ok scientists, I believe that you've managed to work a lot of this stuff out on your own, but I'm just gonna take over now because something you have said doesn't jive with how I want the world to be."

There's a lot science can't explain fully--yet. Do you believe in the theory of gravity? If so, you might be interested in knowing that about the only thing scientists know about gravity is that it's a force that matter seems to exert on other matter. That's almost the entirety of our knowledge of gravity. If you think about it, this is absolutely nuts. One of the biggest things we depend on in our understanding of the universe, and we only know a little. But I doubt you only believe in gravity "to some extent"?

Scientists are just now discovering some pretty radical things about evolution, and one of those things is that evolution really can work in very rapid and drastic ways. You might be interested in this article. In a nutshell, in only 30 generations, an entire group of lizards went through evolutionary processes that we once thought would have to take millions of years. And this isn't something silly like skin color. Their entire digestive tracts changed and developed to accommodate their surroundings. In just a few years. Not even a blip in the evolutionary time scale. You doubt evolution because you think we didn't have enough time to develop a bunch of neurons over millions or even hundreds of thousands of years? Criminy, what you should REALLY be wondering is why it took so damn long!

Start reading the right things, and you'll be amazed at how much the truth is stranger than the fiction of bronze age story-tellers. Everything you have in the world right now, you have because of science. Religion has given you nothing, except for perhaps a warm fuzzy feeling. If religion is holding you back from truly understanding the world, then drop it like a bad habit, and then start reading. For starters, I recommend anything by Dawkins, but The God Delusion is one of his best.

Actually, I have been questioning gravity lately. Why do things orbit? gravity. Why are objects spherical? gravity. What are black holes? places with lots of gravity. It seems overly simplistic although some can be proven mathematically. If they find better ways to explain it, great. Why is it bad to question a theory, any theory? Scientists are about questioning things. And its ok for people to question scientists and to point out holes in the theories. Like I said, I believe in many parts of evolution, but it doesn't mean I have to buy the whole thing.

Even with your lizard example, it was a nice example of adaptation. I will be interested in seeing the results on the genetic changes. Still, how does new information get added into the DNA? How do we add more chromosomes? Polyploidy might be a good method for plants, but fatal to all animals. From what we know, adding an extra chromosome does not do good things in humans. Crossing over may be able to exaplain some adding on of the genetic code, but much research still has to be done.

Plus, I believe in God. Nothing I read or anyone says will ever take that away. I have enough personal encounters to be unwavering. Also, beliving in evolution does not mean there is no God. May roommate in college is now an evolutionary scientist. She goes to the evolution conferences all around the world to present her research. Yet she believes in God and is a sincere Christian.

Its ok to have questions, to have discussions, to have debates, and to believe in God and science at the same time.

I am a Christian who believes in evolution to some extent. However, there are still some huge questions evolution does not answer. One of them is how evolution happened so quick. One example of fast evolution comes from one of our own ancestors, ** erectus.

** erectus lived about 2 million years ago and had a brain size of about 850 cubic centimeters. This brain size could hold about 50 billion neurons. The modern human brain is about twice that size (1500 cc) and can hold about 100 billion neurons. In 2 million years there are only 20 ticks. So if we take that, it would be a great amount of changes in only 20 increments. Another way to look at it is the number of generations. If ** erectus had a child every 10 years, there are 200,000 generations possible. This does not take into account that as the species evolved that time frame would lengthen. Where did the 50 billion new neurons come from? Here are some possibilities.

• Every generation, 250,000 new neurons were added to the ** erectus brain.

• Every 100,000 years, 2.5 billion new neurons were added to the ** erectus brain.

• 500,000 years ago, there was a spurt of 20 or so closely-spaced generations that added 2.5 billion neurons per generation.

• One day, spontaneously, 50 billion new neurons were added to the ** erectus brain to create the ** sapiens brain.

None of these scenarios goes with gradual change over long periods of time as the modern theory of evolution teaches. Also, scientists today are not seeing huge jumps, such as a child being born with an extra 250,000 neurons. Nor do we see spontaneous adding of a huge amount of neurons in a one-time occurrence. Although, maybe one day this could occur in the future. The above is one reason for the theory of punctuated equilibrium, where rapid evolution occurs in a short period of time. However, the mechanism for this rapid evolution has not yet been found.

And how many moms in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, etc... breast feed their kid until age 2? I mean let's get real here.

I am from Oregon. I breastfed my daughter until she 26 months. I know 3 other moms in my circle of mom friends that also breastfed till 2. Its not that weird.

The stupid part is that the guy offered to pay the fee and then some. He would have still had some damage to his house. But they could have stopped it. Refusing to put out the fire even after he offered to pay is just being #######.

Boaz my heart goes out to you. I too have been suffering in silence since November, my husband after 5 years left me when his 10 year greencard came in the mail. He left me and never looked back. It was very hard for me, I just wanted to die. I loved that man with my entire being. LL and 1 other person here on VJ know the truth. I can not hold it in any longer. Boaz my heart is with you. Please if you want to talk I am here for you PM me and I will be more than happy to give you my number or you can get it from LL. Peace we will carry on and be stronger for our experience.

Perseverance

I am so sorry for the both of you. Very shocking and heartbreaking.

We've been married almost 5 years. We're done with USCIS as my husband has his citizenship. We've own a house in a nice neighborhood and have a beautiful 15 month old daughter. But my husband is done living the American dream and we are looking to relocate back to Africa. Although it got easier to adjust in some ways as time went on, its also gotten harder. We laugh and love alot, but the bicultural marriage is still hard.

Insurance cost is not the problem, it's health care cost.

If health care costs are high, premiums are going to be high.

You can't expect an insurance company to pay-out $150,000 or more for a procedure when they are collecting $40 in premiums... It's just not feasible.

How much a person pays in premiums is usually the result of what their company passes on to them for cost. So the insurance company gets way more then $40 in premiums. My cobra statement showed i would need to pay $650 a month for what I payed $67 a month at my last job.

By the way I like what it says as your member title.

Thanks!

Wow this thread is still going strong! onwa must be so proud.

Yes. I am the proud mama of this popular thread.

Again, I believe that those who oppose changes to the system are ones who have never had to deal with the system or see a loved one denied coverage or see someone close to them totally wiped out by the system.

Our medical system is a big fear for many immigrants... They hear the stories and fear for getting ill. My husband still has a hard time grasping the whole insurance concept and is scared silly for something to happen or if we get sick. He is scared that since I do not have coverage that I will develop something or he will get injured and we will be wiped out financially... For most people coming to America, this is a big concern. For many coming here, they are giving up what they consider a superior medical system (even those from less developed nations) to the harsh cold reality of medical in america... and it is confusing.

My husband is from Nigeria and thinks their health system is way better.

On a complete side note, although I don't post on VJ much, this has been my most popular thread and that makes me happy (and a loser). So easily pleased am I.

Rubbish dude. You missed my two incidents last year.

Both my wife and I have our own coverage plans and cover each other. Top of the line policies. So we effectively have two policies (each). However, we still could not get my wife's mammogram covered because they specifically stated that as she is under 35, they are not in the business for preventative health care. The mammogram cost us $735. The same mammogram paid in cash in AUS, no medicare or private insurance, would cost ~$120 - ~$180 if I went to a private center.

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Oct 7 2009

This is the first time I personally had to use insurance here, as I usually paid cash for the doctors. I went to a doctor and then had a few basic tests. No real difference from going to a doctor in Aus but they do have more admin staff and nurses in the doctors office, which we just don't have in AUS. Waited 20 minutes rather than the usual 30 to an hour back in AUS. I would probably have had to go to a private clinic to have the lab tests in AUS. Doctor provided me some samples of the meds and I was off. Just the other day I see the explanation of benefits mailed to me. To my surprise, I was not covered. What got me the most is the cost.

$180 to see the doctor - for 15 minutes

$330 lab costs.

Are these prices for real? There is the problem right there. The NHS (government policy) would have paid the doctor $90 for the visit. $180 for a 15 minute consultation is extortion. Regarding the Lab costs, my cousin works in a private lab that does such testing. She emailed me that they wold have billed NHS $145 for these same tests.

Now the reason the insurance denied the claim is because I have two insurance polices. How is that for a joke. I have my own policy for both my spouse and I and she has her own policy covering me too. So it's a battle on which policy will cover it. Nearly $750 in premiums between us an they are denying me because of bullshit.

The fun doesn't stop there. I go to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription and I find out that they don't cover this brand, so it will cost $193 to buy. Can someone tell me how this same medication costs $47.30 to buy in AUS but $193 here? Furthermore, it comes in a factory sealed blister pack in AUS.

Now what sort of an idiot thinks the government option is a bad idea?

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Government option in AUS:

Doctors visit: $0 co-pay period*

Hospital visit: $0 co-pay period

Medication: Actual price (not subsidized) - Aging and long-term ill covered by PBS: $4.77

* The Schedule fee is a fee for service set by the Australian Government and not what your doctor charges you.

Medication cost (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Doctor recommended: **rejected by the insurance

US: $133.81

AUS: $29.49

Alternative: (covered)

US: $193.00

AUS: $47.30 (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Why, did you send me yours? I am sure there is an article you could be finding, in a country you apparently don't care about and are not obsessed with..

Hope you get the insurance sorted out. What a pain.

Laws are driven by greedy members of congress, not companies.

Companies may look out for their interest and pressure law makers, but the law makers make the ultimate decision.

It almost makes you wish that law makers had to carry around a 24/7 listening device with them to see who's pushing them and what kickbacks they are getting.

Greedy members of Congress???hmmmm. I talked extensively to a doctor who was leaving the profession. Who tells the doctors how much to charge for a procedure. A panel of people who basically represent the insurance companies.

The doctors and the nurses and the hospitals, as well as all the old and poor people that want Cadillac healthcare at taxpayer expense. One thing single payer healthcare will do is cut costs by necessity. Everybody will have to grow up and do with less.

Health insurance costs have gone up about 6% per year. I know my nurse friends are happy to see a 3% raise and right now most of the major hospitals are on a hiring freeze. So the reason my own health insurance premium is getting so high is still beyond me.

It's not the insurance, the patients, the doctors, etc.... it's the COST!

The cost of what? The universal system or that Amereican health care is SO expensive. There is some major greed going on with insurance companies. They are not hurting.

The devil can have my soul if I can get my medications and not worry about losing everything I own in case of serious illness!!!

Have good friends with health insurance but the guy got cancer and it bankrupted them. They lost their home, everything but each other.

Not saying I fully support "universal health care coverage", though.

I'm for universal health care. But I am more for affordable insurance that is not based on employment. Like car insurance. And thanks for actually answering my question.

Well, arguing from the Christian perspective (which I know many don't care about anyway. The Old Testament was ALL about universal health care. When one had any sickness or disease they were to see the priests and the priests were paid by the tithe. So everyone paid into the health care. HOW EVIL.

Yes, many others have it much worse. For example, all those poor souls in Canada and much of Europe who are suffering under the tyranny of government health care. These so-called "individuals" have lost all that makes them individuals. They have been robbed of their liberty and turned into serfs of the state. And to think, that this has happened with their acquiescence. They said they wanted help with health care. And government stepped in, gave them health care but robbed them of their very souls... of that very basic thing that makes them human. Liberty.

So next time you clamor about health care, please think about that. Would you rather fall off a staircase and die slowly in your bed a free woman with a straight path to the Lord, or would you rather sell your soul to the Government Devil and live till 90 in sin?

Seriously, I am a conservative Christian who is all for universal health care. I just don't get what people are so afraid of.

I'm curious. Healthcare premiums have gotten so out of for me and my family. Here is what happened in the last year and half.

My company insurance 2008 (for husband and me): $130 per month. $1000 deductible per person (company contributes $1000 in FSA) $15 copay, 10% insurance for everything else

My company insurance 2009 (for husband and me) $130 per month. $1000 deductible per person (company contributes $500 in FSA) $15 copay, 20% insurance for everything else

Have baby. Get laid off. Go on husbands insurance.

Company 1 2009 (for husband, daughter and me) $150 per month. $300 deductible. $20 copay, 10 % coinsurance

Company 2 buys Company 1: (for husband, daughter and me) $190 per month, $15 copay, 10% coinsurance, company puts $1200 in FSA (which we had two months to spend before):

Company 3 buys Company 2 (husband's job has not changed at all) $400 per month, no deductible, no copay for primary care, 25% coinsurance for specialty care; 20 % coinsurance for everything else. or we could pay $230 per month but each have a $900 deductible per person.

If there was one thing I wish for in health care reform is that that health care was not dependent on employment. My husband hasn't even changed jobs and look what we are going through. Plus, its true, higher premiums for less coverage. And all three of these companies are very big corporations. I know others have it worse.

Well my husband cooks his own food. He tried to teach me but it was a lost cause. I do end up doing all the dishes most the time though.

The engineering firm I work for has several ARRA jobs, but I'm still laid off--or on call.