I lurk here and read letters a lot. And it used to be, oh, a year or two ago, I would read your letters and think, well, I am on the opposite side of this, but what he is saying makes a little bit of sense, I can see how someone would look at it that way. There is some merit in that argument. And that is just gone now. I think it's because you have lost the ability to see that sometimes, the democrats are on the right side of an issue, and that once in a while, the repubs have a contradictory or nonsensical approach. Instead, you fight every battle, even when it's obvious that it makes no sense, to the death.

It's too bad.

One example is your ridiculous note saying you're glad that the repubs will not go on NPR. I have heard NPR interview many of the republican candidates. Since they are a responsible news outlet, they are are doing introduce yourself interviews with ALL of the candidates. The candidates are allowed to express themselves, are treated with respect, even get away with their spin lines. If they could have a reasoned discussion on NPR, NPR moderators would not be the issue for them. It would be the requirement for reasoned discussion. I actually think Romney, whom I can't stand to think of as president, would do best in such a forum. He is very smart. I'd just love to hear what he actually thinks about something for once.

Anyway, I miss that spark of reason. It was a tiny little light shining in the dark of knee-jerk responses.

Oh! wouldn't brighstar's life be better if women would just go around graciously submitting to stuff?

It wasn't that great a post, the first time around.

Suicides do NOT spike at Christmas. That is a myth.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/suicide.asp

Usually ignoring trolls like him is the best bet, but I must say, when I read his posts, they read like this:

Wahh, Waaah wah waah wah wah.

signed,

Poor me

P.S. Waaah

Just...wow. I knew the Repubs were not exactly realistic, but just...wow.

Maybe they have an inferiority complex because they ARE inferior?

Heh...heh...heh.

Didn't Bill Clinton style himself the "Comeback Kid"? Clearly it's not a derogatory term to him.

I wish they had posted a pic of Paul. He isn't as rock-bottom ugly as Giuliani (or Thompson).

Okay, it's your turn. You can't talk about women, or discrimination against women with any authority at all because you're male. You are, in fact, da man.

That's all.

Wow, I was just reading through the letters, and thought, where's the bitter, off-topic, or just stupid letter from Nulla Sallus (which I think must mean no sense). But, page 2, and there it was!

I wonder if the schools are able to turn out a better product because they have a better input. The schools can kick out kids that disruptive, and don't have to deal with parents who don't/won't follow the school's rules. Maybe the reason some people will take half as much money to teach at a Catholic school is because they don't have to deal with the social and behavioral problems the inner-city schools do? It seems like economically disadvantaged parents who are nevertheless willing to pay for something (Catholic school) that they could get for free value the education enough to ensure that their children will do well.

It's not just about the schools, and a voucher won't make your mom stop using crack or make her start reading to you, or make your community value educational achievement.

Isn't cortisone a steroid? Okay, I know the answer, yes, it is, but not an anabolic steroid. Maybe we should make the distinction?

I guess I don't get why you're mad at Blue Cross. They paid $61,00 of your bill. Sounds like an 80/20 policy. They are not the ones who charged $75,000. That was the medical provider, right? So thanks memorial hospital, or whatever, with your costs rising 14% every year might be more correct. Sound like the contract you or your employer have with Blue Cross was honored. OF course, what should that matter? If you given a hardship, Blue Cross (other subscribers) should have to pay! No matter what your contract reads. No matter how ridiculous the bills submitted by the providers.

Hm.

61k isn't nothing to me...

how insurance companies are somehow responsible for high prices charged by providers. You are complaining that they aren't paying every penny of the fantastically high bills, instead of wondering why the bills are so fantastically high in the first place (cost-shifting?)

I consider the insurance premiums my employer and I pay to be hedge against crushing medical debt. I don't expect my homeowner's insurance to replace windows or fix the furnace-I have to save up for those things. I don't expect my auto insurance to fill my gas tank or change oil, either. Those are living/driving expenses that are my responsibility. I don't think that my insurance policy should keep me from having to pay a $30 copay for a drug or an office visit, either. However, I do expect that my insurance will pay 80% of my costs up to my maximum out-of-pocket limit, then 100%. That I will have to have some reserves to pay up to that maximum. That I will have to choose doctors who have a contract with the insurance company. Because some of the "me" maintenance, just like some of the car maintenance and house maintenance is my responsibility.

Somehow it's also the insurance company's fault that your employer dropped coverage? Oh well. When people are ticked and have found someone to blame, you really can't get through to them.